Freddie March Spirit of Aviation
Presented by Bonhams
A magnificent concours d'elegance for pre-1966 aircraft which brings together some of the most elegant and rarely-seen machines from the history of aviation.
&width=640)
1914-type Bristol Scout
G-FDHB (1264)
Generously provided by David Bremner
The Bristol Scout was first flown in 1914 and became the prototype single-seater fighter due to its unique combination of speed and manoeuvrability and was used for many other firsts in aviation.
This original aircraft was flown by Flight Sub Lieutenant FDH Bremner RNAS in 1915 from Imbros and Thassos in the Eastern Mediterranean. In 1983 the stick, rudder bar and magneto were found by his grandson who, with Theo Willford, researched, rebuilt and now flies the aircraft. It is an exact reproduction in every detail of the original and is the only airworthy Bristol Scout in the world.
&width=640)
1936 Focke-Wulf Fw44J Stieglitz
D-EMNN
Generously provided by Richard Menage
Designed for aerobatics, the Focke-Wulf Fw44 first flew in 1932 and its success transformed Focke-Wulf into a significant aircraft manufacturer. This Focke-Wulf Fw44J on display was built in Bremen in 1936 with Werk Nr. 1904. It was purchased by the Swedish Air Force in 1937 and given the SwAF Serial No. 622. In 1950 it was sold to the civilian market and flew as a glider tug for fifteen years as SE-BRZ. It became a museum exhibit in 1966 before it was acquired by the present owner in 2012 who restored it over a five-year period to airworthiness. It has been finished in the 1936 German civilian colour scheme.
&width=640)
1951 Hawker Sea Fury T20
G-INVN
Generously provided by Shaun Patrick
Developed by Hawker Aircraft at Kingston-upon-Thames, the Sea Fury first flew in September 1944. Powered by a 2,480hp (1849 kW) Bristol Centaurus X11 radial engine and with a top speed of over 400mph, the Sea Fury represented the pinnacle of piston-engined fighter development. This Sea Fury T20 entered service with the Royal Navy in October 1951. Following export to Germany in 1957 the aircraft returned to the UK in 1970 and flew with the Royal Navy historic flight. Following extensive damage in a belly-landing in 1990, the aircraft was sold abroad and after restoration returned to the UK in 2009.
&width=640)
1039 Bücker 131B Jungmann
D-ETHO
Generously provided by Thomas Holz
The Bücker Flügzeugbau Company was formed at Johannisthal in Germany in 1932. The company’s first aircraft was the Bü131 Jüngmann designed by Swedish designer Anders J.Anderson for sports, aerobatic and training use. The prototype first flew on 27th April 1934, powered by an 80hp Hirth HM60R engine.
The Jungmann that will be on display was built in Altenrhein in 1939 for the Swiss Air Force as a training aircraft. It is completely original and is operated with the Hirth 504M engine as constructed. There are less than ten aircraft left worldwide in this historically correct condition.
&width=640)
1941 Klemm 35
SE-BGA
Generously provided by Friedrich Diehl
Hanns Klemm established Klemm Leichtflugzeugbau Gmbh in Boblingen Germany in 1926 to build light aircraft. The Klemm 35 was designed as an aerobatic, sporting and training aeroplane and first flew in 1935. Produced as a trainer for the Luftwaffe, the Klemm 35 was exported to a number of countries including Sweden where it was later built under licence.
The Klemm 35 on display at Freddie March Spirit of Aviation was built in Boblingen in 1941 for the Swedish Air Force. Following a couple of years in private hands, the Klemm ended up in a museum. It was subsequently renovated in Sweden after nearly 50 years and has been hangared in Siegerland Germany since 2018.
The 2018 winners
&width=640)
&width=640)
1st - 1943 Supermarine Spitfire
20 years ago Ray Hanna flew this Supermarine Spitfire, Mk IXb MH434, down the opening straight of the Goodwood Motor Circuit. The aircraft has been on display at every Goodwood Revival since. It is also the aircraft that signals the opening of the event with a flypast over Goodwood House and the cricket match, before showing its aerial prowess at the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation opening party.
According to the judges, this aircraft truly embodies "the Spirit of Aviation".
2nd - 1939 Westland Lysander
The finishing touches to the restoration of this 1939 Westland Lysander were only completed within days of the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation. Famed for its clandestine operations during WWII, flying agents in and out of fields in occupied France, it took the second place at concours d'elegance and is already a firm favourite.
&width=640)
&width=640)
&width=640)
&width=640)
&width=640)
&width=640)
3rd - 1943 Bristol Blenheim
The design of the Blenheim originated in the early 1930's as a small airliner named Britain First, designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company. It was redesigned as a bomber and bore the brunt of daylight operations during WWII. After restoration, this aircraft first flew in in 2014 and won the 2017 Freddie March Spirit of Aviation concours d'elegance.
Gallery highlights
&width=1240)
The 1934 De Havilland DH84 Dragon cabin biplane which will auction for the first time ever at Bonhams.
&width=1240)
1931 De Havilland DH60G Gipsy Moth
&width=1240)
&width=1240)
Air displays
Air displays form a momentous part of the Goodwood Revival itinerary and each year we welcome and celebrate World War II Warbirds for all to admire. Following new Civil Aviation Authority regulations, all fixed wing aircraft and rotary-wing aerobatics are not permitted to display above any point on the surface occupied by spectators without a distance of at least 230 meters. We are still committed to ensuring our air displays are safe and enjoyable as possible.
Details on our 2019 air displays are yet to be confirmed, however some previous air patrols have been held in the mornings of the event.
&width=640)
&width=640)
&width=640)
&width=640)
Freddie March
Freddie March, Charles March's grandfather, has a fascinating history mostly revolving around the worlds of motor racing and aviation. The Freddie March Spirit of Aviation seeks to celebrate his connection with flight, whilst also giving a nod towards Goodwood Motor Circuit's period as RAF Westhampnett during the Second World War.
As well as serving in the RAF, Freddie formed Hordern-Richmond with a friend and together they developed aircraft and motor car design concepts that influenced both of these industries. More than anything, Freddie simply had an enduring passion for them, both at the drawing board and behind the wheel.
Historical flights from Goodwood Aerodrome
