Shuttleworth Wings and Wheels Airshow 2026
Shuttleworth’s New Format Finds Its Feet
Old Warden | 30 May 2026
Shuttleworth’s Wings & Wheels made its debut in 2026, replacing the long‑running Military Airshow, which now occupies a late‑August slot. Expectations were mixed going in — not helped by the late withdrawal of Tom Harris’s desert‑schemed Grumman Wildcat — and the early programme felt light for those seeking a strong military presence. But as the afternoon unfolded, the show built steadily toward a genuinely rewarding finale.
A Strong Start: Chipmunk 80th Anniversary Four‑Ship
Flying began at the traditional 14:00 and the first major highlight was a beautifully curated Chipmunk 80th Anniversary four‑ship. Shuttleworth’s own T.22 (671) led the formation, joined by:
- Portuguese‑schemed Chipmunk 22 ‘1350’
- Canada‑built DHC‑1 T.10 WP903
- Navy Wings’ T.10 WK608
It was a fitting tribute to one of de Havilland’s most enduring designs, and a rare chance to see such a diverse Chipmunk line‑up flying together.
Two U.S. Navy Debuts
Shuttleworth then delivered a genuine double first: the debut appearances of two unusual U.S. Navy trainers — the Naval Aircraft Factory N3N‑3 (G‑CFXT 228) and the Ryan PT‑22 Recruit “Miss Tahiti”. Both aircraft are seldom seen on the UK circuit, and their inclusion added welcome variety to the early programme.
Gazelle Squadron Steals the Afternoon
The Gazelle Squadron delivered one of the standout routines of the entire show. Flying HT.3 ZB627 “Ginger” and HT.2 XZ939, the pair executed a tight, energetic routine that played perfectly to Old Warden’s compact display line. Close‑formation passes, crisp run‑and‑break manoeuvres and the Gazelle’s unmistakable high‑pitched rotor note combined into a display that felt polished, confident and unmistakably “Shuttleworth”.
WWI Theme and BBMF Contribution
The WWI segment brought the Sopwith Camel and Sopwith Triplane into the air — always a treat in Old Warden’s unique setting.
The BBMF contribution, however, was reduced to a solo appearance by Spitfire AB910, freshly repainted into her D‑Day markings. The display followed the familiar BBMF zoom‑and‑boom profile, but concluded with a superb topside pass that gave photographers the moment they were waiting for.
Aero Legends Close the Afternoon in Style
The afternoon’s flying closed with an unexpected but highly effective pairing: Aero Legends’ Spitfire and Strikemaster. On paper it’s an unusual combination, but in the air it worked beautifully. The pair opened with an extended topside pass that showcased both aircraft to great effect then moved straight into a well‑choreographed pairs routine that made full use of Old Warden’s curved display line.
The Strikemaster’s solo routine was arguably the display of the day — punchy, precise and perfectly suited to the venue. The Spitfire departed after the pairs segment, meaning no solo routine, but the overall sequence still provided a strong and satisfying end to the afternoon programme.
Evening Flying: Light Fades, Atmosphere Lost
While evening flying can deliver golden‑hour magic, it also carries risk — and once again low cloud rolled in at the crucial moment. The Gladiator, TFC Wildcat and Buchón (standing in for the withdrawn Harris Wildcat) all flew in flat, muted light that did little to support the intended African‑themed sequence.
With conditions deteriorating, many visitors — myself included — chose to depart early. Shortly afterwards, the Collection’s Avro Triplane IV made a precautionary landing in a nearby field. The pilot was taken to hospital for checks and thankfully reported uninjured.
Conclusion
Wings & Wheels 2026 may not have matched the depth of the former Military Airshow, but it delivered a number of genuinely memorable moments: the Chipmunk anniversary four‑ship, the rare U.S. Navy debuts, a superb Gazelle Squadron routine and a standout Strikemaster performance. With refinement — particularly around the evening flying — this new format has the potential to become a strong fixture in Shuttleworth’s calendar.
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