Old Warden-The Shuttleworth Collection

[Lucky Dog]

The collection also has quite an extensive collection of old cars and motorcycles.


And where would they be without the volunteers. That's none other than Mrs. Sandy Spigot-Colon cleaning the dust off post display.

[Lucky Dog]

And the man himself.

From their website:
Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth (1909-1940)
When Richard was a young boy he was happiest tinkering with cars and any available mechanical device and often got into trouble at school for arriving late to lessons covered in grease. He passed out of Sandhurst as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 16th/5th Lancers, and during his time in the army, he pursued various sporting interests like his father had done. According to his father's will he finally came of age at 23 and inherited the family fortune and was then able to concentrate on the management of the estate. He was also then free to pursue his mechanical interests, which became more and more his main occupation.

Richard built up a sizeable collection of old cars, and somewhat later, aeroplanes, restoring them to working order. These now form the nucleus of the Collection at Old Warden Aerodrome, which was also constructed by him. He had a very successful racing career, culminating in the winning of the first British Grand Prix at Donnington Park in 1935 driving his 2.5 litre Alfa Romeo Monoposto. He raced at Grand Prix worldwide and participated in the South African Grand Prix where his car went out of control and he was badly hurt. This led to his retirement from motor racing and he took up flying because 'it was safer'!

When war broke out in 1939 Richard joined the Royal Air Force and was posted to RAF Benson for night flying experience. On the night of the 1st-2nd August 1940 he was flying a cross-country training exercise in a Fairey Battle, but was killed when his aircraft crashed into a nearby hill.


Dorothy Shuttleworth, although devastated by the loss of her son, set up the mansion as a Red Cross Convalescent Home for injured airmen and created a small chapel, dedicated to Richard. In 1944 she decided to place the estate in a charitable Trust in memory of Richard; she wanted to ensure that it would continue as one entity to be used for the purpose of agricultural and aviation education, two interests that Richard was especially keen on.

More on the collection of aircraft at OW.

Shuttleworth

[Sandy Spigot-Colon]

Mike,
Brilliant and thanks.
I'm genuinely touched that you had such a great time.

I know how much you want to return.
Perhaps next time perhaps a saving could made if you stay in peoples houses.
(and get ferried around).

Andy

[rainbase]

I particularly like the way some of the "Edwardian" aircraft come with their own litter boxes. It's nice to see, after all these years, they're finally housebroken....

[Lucky Dog]

Originally Posted by Sandy Spigot-Colon

Mike,
Brilliant and thanks.
I'm genuinely touched that you had such a great time.
Andy

Andy,
You're quite welcome sir!

At the Dawn Patrol Rc fly-in I was at last weekend, I broke out the last bottle of Spitfire Ale I'd brought back with me. Greg, Russ and I shared it (after flying was done for the day of course) and drank a toast to OW.

Originally Posted by Sandy Spigot-Colon

Phil,
I think ORA was modelled on Old Warden and no, the management is in very sound hands.
S S-C.

With people like you and Vanessa involved with OW and SVAS, truer words were never spoken.

[PupCam]

Some very nice photographs you took Mike and a fine reminder of a truly magical place. It was good to meet up with you when you where here - you've become a good friend over the intervening months. As SSC said, money can be saved on accommodation costs etc when you return (looks like you've had at least two offers already!)

Nice idea about timing a trip to coincide with the arrival of the Camel, after all what's better than seeing two Sopwith aeroplanes on OW's grass? Mind you, although progress is good I think you will have a fair time to save if you wait for "the humped one".

Now, if only we could bottle the atmosphere I reckon we might be able to put you down for a bottle or two

Alan