A guide to the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation

The nostalgia-inducing collection brought together some of the most elegant and rarely-seen machines from the history of aviation, both military and civilian, to the Goodwood Revival. A collection which captivated and inspired both young and old as punters peered into cockpits and discussed the merits of air coolers or retractable under-carriages.

Named after Freddie March, later the ninth Duke of Richmond and Gordon, and the 11th Duke's grandfather, the Spirit of Aviation seeks to celebrate his close connection with flight, whilst also celebrating Goodwood Motor Circuit’s history as an operational RAF fighter base in the Second World War, known then as Westhampnett, which was paired with RAF Tangmere just down the road.

Active from July 1940 to May 1946 as a front-line airfield, and home to 43, 129, 145, 602 and 616 Squadrons, operating Hawker Hurricanes, P-51 Mustangs, and Supermarine Spitfires, Westhampnett was also home to some very notable pilots, including double-amputee Group Captain Douglas Bader CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar. Indeed, it was from the very same grass airfield that the Spirit of Aviation sits today that Bader took flight in his last wartime sortie, before having to bailout over Northern France after his tail section was severed from his aircraft in somewhat controversial circumstances. Thankfully today, and with much thanks to pilots such as Bader and his companions, we can enjoy the wonderful host of majestic aircraft on display beneath peaceful skies.

Walking out into the Spirit of Aviation, it’s hard to know where to start, there are so many different types, shapes and sizes of aircraft. It is however, almost impossible to ignore the looming presence of a 1944 Douglas C-47 Douglas ‘Dakota’ Skytrain appearing in the distance.

Known as ‘Drag Em Oot’ by her crew, this very special aircraft participated in D-Day, dropping 18 elite paratroopers of the American 82^nd Airborne behind German lines into St. Mere Église before helping to resupply troops as the invasion secured a beachhead. Following the Normandy campaign ‘Drag Em Oot’ also flew in Operation Market Garden, the ill-fated largest airborne assault in history in September of 1944. It was during this campaign that the Dakota suffered some serious battle-damage with 12 bullet holes found in her nose and cockpit, probably caused by a marauding German fighter. Repaired in August ’45, she was later transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force which had just returned from Burma. She’s the first aircraft we look at, and what a remarkable example of history and bravery seen up-close. Wonderful.

Whilst we’re in the area we have a look at another large and imposing Douglas parked up next door. This time, a bare metal 1939 C41A which looks glorious as it gleams in the early morning sunshine. It was used by Major General Henry Arnold as a VIP transport. Retaining original tail insignia and with only 9,500 flying hours on its log, the C41A looks fresh off the production line despite its increasing age and rarity.

From big to small, some of the most awe-inspiring flying machines on show are little more than a seat, an engine and a couple of bed sheets stretched over a wooden airframe. Both terrifying, yet totally captivating, the 1914 Bristol Scout on display shows how daring the earliest aviators really were. The original aircraft was flown by Sub-Lieutenant FDH Bremner RNAS in 1915 in the Eastern Mediterranean. And then, in 1983 the stick, rudder bar, and magneto were discovered by his grandson who with Theo Willford, went on to research, rebuild and now fly the aircraft. It is an exact reproduction in every detail and remains the only airworthy Bristol Scout in the entire world.

Leaning into the cockpit, you are greeted by a wicker chair, more suited to a garden party than an aircraft, a rudimentary stick, and a handful of dials and indicators. But what makes this special, is the original photographs lovingly glued to the control panel, of Sub-Lieutenant FDH Bremner RNAS. A very special aircraft indeed.

Turning away from a piece of British engineering, we are immediately greeted by a pretty little German trainer in the form of a 1941 Klemm 35, or ‘Günter’ according to its nose art. The Klemm 35 was designed as an aerobatic, sporting and training aircraft which first flew in 1935. Produced as a trainer for the expanding Luftwaffe, the Klemm was also exported to a number of countries including Sweden where it was built under licence. As was this example in 1941 by the Swedish Air Force. Its simple lines, mono-wing design and open cockpit do a pleasing job of spanning eras between the bi-planes on display, and the more contemporary aircraft dotted around the airfield.

One of the aircraft a young pilot may have found themselves flying after graduating from the Klemm 35 was the extremely modern and menacing Messerschmitt BF109, one of the most well-known German fighter aircraft of the Second World War. Sadly, very few remain today and often when people do spot what they think is an ME109 on display or in the air, more likely than not it is Hispano Buchon, painted as a ME109. Spain, in 1942 acquired the manufacturing licence for the BF190G from Germany and went on to develop the Buchon 1112. Eventually, the 1112 was fitted with Rolls-Royce Merlin Engines following the war which gives the Buchon its distinctive bulging air-intake below the prop. In 1968 the HA1112MIL on display here was purchased in 1968 from the Spanish Air Force for use in the iconic film ‘Battle of Britain’. Painted in its iconic ‘Yellow 10’ BF109 livery, the Buchon is convincing enough to keep the many RAF re-enactors on their toes and on the lookout for bandits coming out of the sun.

Throw in a 1939 Bücker Jungmann, a stunning Focke-Wulf FW44J Stieglitz, a 1943 Piper L-4, an elegant Gipsy Moth and even a prototype 1961 Sud Aviation Alouette II Helicopter, and the 2019 Freddie March Spirit of Aviation is in fine fettle. It’s an absolute pleasure to while away an hour or two admiring some of the finest aircraft anywhere in the world, and even more special given the significance of the historic airfield on which they are displayed. Just spare a thought for our judges who need to pick some winners from this lot over the weekend. Rather them than me.

Photography by James Lynch.