We were asked to record a short video of the FlyToThePast 2011 highlights to be put onto YouTube. We produced this video to show the wide variety of air and ground attractions and displays available. It also included details of the video interviews we did with some of the pilots and aircrew on the day.

Alex Smee – Bücker Jungmeister

Having spoken to Alex, pilot of the Bücker Jungmeister on the phone before the event we were also able to interview him at Oxford Airport before his flying display. In the interview Alex talked about the Jungmeister and how its’ wonderful performance and flying characteristics helped ensure it was the trainer of choice by the German Luftwaffe in the mid 1930′s. He talks about his aerobatic routine and the use of smoke to help the audience follow it.

For more information on the Jungmeister see http://incomparablejungmeister.weebly.com/index.html

Trevor Pegrum and Ted Lay – Tiger Moth

In this video we talk to Trevor Pegrum and Ted Lay about their Tiger Moth. Ted re-built and restored her following a crash and Trevor learned to fly in her and has been flying her, with Ted, for 50 years. Being at Oxford Airport for Fly To The Past, was almost like coming back home for the aircraft, as she was built at the old Morris Motor Company Cowley manufacturing facility (now owned by BMW and producing the Mini) which switched to aircraft production during World War II (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Motor_Company#Second_World_War)

Chris Thompson – Antonov An-2

In this video we talk to Chris Thompson and James Black about the Antonov An-2 – the largest single engine bi-plane in the world. Chris and James talk about its ‘big baby’ flying characteristics due to its size and large 1000HP engine. They need a crew of two – one to fly it and the other to manage the engine and aircraft. Its overall size and flexibility of its load area can be appreciated when on static display. Chris and James talk about all the varied uses this type of aircraft and been put to. For more information see the AN2 club web site – http://www.an2club.info/

Hercule Poirot

We managed to catch up with Hercule Poirot who claimed he was on his day off but we did wonder if he was actually on a case and about to exercise his ‘little grey cells’. He was being very tight lipped when we interviewed him!

PS: Martin Gaisford is the actor who plays Poirot. He has been officially endorsed as a Hercule Poirot lookalike by Agatha Christie Ltd. For more information on Martin see http://www.martingaisford.co.uk/4584.html

Matthew Hill and Bob Grimstead – Fournier RF4

In this video we talk to the Red Hawks two person formation aerobatic team of Mathew Hill and Bob Grimstead about the Fournier RF4. These planes are probably the lowest powered (and cheapest to run in terms of fuel use!) aerobatics aircraft flying today. The combination of a quiet engine, smoke, music and formation aerobatics lends a graceful style to the display. Before each performance Mathew and Bob practice their routine on the ground which you can see in the video. For more information on the Red Hawks see the website at http://web.me.com/mafew/RedHawks/Who_Are_We.html

Martin Willing – T28 Fennec

Before the airshow happened we managed to chat on the phone with Martin Willing about him, the aircrafts background and history. To listen to the phone call click on the audio podcast tab above. In this video we managed to catch up with Martin and his co-pilot Ray Corsten and hear more about the aircraft and its history and what she is like to fly. Although the T28 was originally designed as a trainer for early generation jet aircraft pilots, she saw active service in a number of conflicts in different parts of the world as a ground strike aircraft. For more information on the T28 and Martin see their web site at http://www.radialrevelation.airdisplay.info/