Mention the name Abingdon and MG aficionados’ eyes immediately start glowing. The smell of wood glue, leather hides engineering and oil assault the memory of the old factory which produced these wonderful cars in Abingdon from 1929.

So a large gathering of MGs to this event was guaranteed, and so it was. They were all there. VA, TC, MGA, RV8s and several dozen MGFs, the whole range displayed in order of type. The mix of aircraft, classic cars and vehicles plus some interesting aircraft made this a ‘must see’ day. The imposing RAF C17 Loadmaster became the focal point for the day and after a short wait we stepped aboard this monster. Seats for soldiers are tightly arranged each side of the interior and dozens of heavy duty floor rings await the tools of the services. This aircraft is capable of lifting awesome loads to far off lands.

Abingdon airfield was a past bomber base but is now Dalton Barracks and all around the distant perimeter tightly parked Army lorries awaited duty. Army recruiting centres at one end of the show created much interest from passers by. Country crafts, local food, toys and tools - you could find it here. A beautiful MG ‘M’ type dripped oil onto the concrete apron. Pure nostalgia.

The mix of displaying aircraft taking off in quick succession in the early afternoon kept all eyes to the sky for a couple of hours. The first to display was the Jet Provost which was the first RAF Jet trainer some years ago. World war two fighter planes always attract attention so the Kitty Hawk with its Allison V-Twelve engine whistling and howling during a low beat up of the airfield had all in awe. It has a heavier deeper growl to either the Spitfire or Mustang engine. Fifteen thousand Kitty Hawks were built. The Mustang was the star of the day with a huge propeller spinning and the gorgeous sound of another V-twelve engine but this time a Merlin made by Packard in America. Packard also made fine cars, all with straight eight engines as opposed to the normal V8s. This particular Mustang has been the star of many a film including Empire of the Sun and saving Private Ryan. It had just returned from Prague where it has been filming in the new ‘Red Tails’ production, telling the story of the World War Two heroes who were the all Afro American squadron.
 

The Russian built Yak trainer has an all together different engine sound, staccato and not particularly easy on the ear. When flying during the cold war they were fitted with short range fuel tanks so pilots with eyes to the West were not able to take off and escape. They are built now in Romania and continue to fly. The very pretty little single engine Vampire Jet fighter has an interesting history. They were developed in 1943, flew from a carrier in 1945 and crossed the Atlantic in 1948. The twin boom tail and distinctive whistle from the engine set it apart from modern fighters. RNZAF (New Zealand) flew a squadron of them for many years and it was nick named the Spider Crab for good reason. Next to go was the Hawk jet trainer. Straight and level or straight up, this plane performs spectacularly. Approaching the display area at low level and just below the limited speed of sound it appears to be silent, the sound following some distance behind. The final aircraft to fly was a C47 Douglas Dakota. The most widely flown aircraft during the Second World War. They first flew at Santa Monica in 1935 and were developed from the DC 2 This actual plane flew the D-Day landings and General Eisenhower watched as it took off all those years ago. It banked and turned and appears extremely agile for such a large aircraft.

If you missed this show then make a point of attending next year, it is a very enjoyable MG meeting.

Dave & Carole Walker