During my first show at Old Warden, there was a reasonable amount of wind throughout the day. This was in the back of all of our minds, and we wondered whether things would calm down enough to launch the Edwardian planes later in the day. The forecast was not for this to happen. As the sun started to get lower in the sky, I was quietly optimistic that the wind would calm but it was proving me wrong for the longest time.

Then, very quickly, things seemed to change, and the organisers realised that there would be a chance to get some more fragile types up in the air. Then it was just a question of what would be willing to fly. Getting these vintage types airborne requires, skill and effort but also a bit of luck. They didn’t all play ball, but the Avro Triplane was up for the challenge. I know it is a reproduction but that doesn’t stop it being great to see it fly in the lovely evening conditions.