Report and photographs by Alastair Goodrum
Fenland Aero Club’s annual Wings and Wheels open day at Holbeach St Johns airfield is a splendid day out for all the family and was blessed with glorious sunshine again last Sunday. (July 5)
Early light rain soon passed through and the huge crowd was able to wander round more than 100 vintage, classic and custom cars brought to the event by enthusiasts from across the region. There were more than 50 local and visiting aeroplanes, too, some of which put on spirited displays to delight all ages.
The Spalding and Peterborough Gliding Club display came literally out of the blue as its Piper Pawnee aircraft aero-towed a high-performance glider across from the Postland club. As the pair reached 
Fenland Airfield the glider released from its tow and went into a short but spectacular silent aerobatics show of loops and rolls before landing in front of the crowd.
Without doubt, though, the star of the show the appearence – spot on its 2.15pm slot – of Spitfire Mark Vb, AB910, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Its distinctive engine growl could be heard coming in from the north and it swept down the main runway line at low level, pulling up into a steeply-banked turn before making two low passes over the crowd. Then, with a waggle of its wings, it roared off to another engagement.
The model aircraft display was very popular and the largest of these, an enormous scale-model of a Cessna was expertly put through its aerial paces by a member of the Fenland Model Aircraft Club. At a distance it was hard to tell these aerial antics from the real thing.
Many charity and trade stalls exhibited their wares; miniature steam engines puffed around the field. Guided tours of the parked aircraft drew many visitors; loads of raffle prizes to be won at the Lincs Air Ambulance stall and a competition for a free flight for whoever could guess the number of toy balloons in a Cessna cockpit.
The clubhouse restaurant was packed out and the barbecue in a hangar did a roaring trade all day. Katie’s OK Catering and organisation of the event was superb and club volunteers both in the control tower and on the ground worked hard to ensure everything kept moving smoothly and safely.
