One Last Ride

By Mathew Foster Thorn

After the announcement of The Blades being disbanded back at the start of the year, I hatched an idea to try and capture the final display of The Blades over at Sywell (thankfully only a 10 minute drive from home), this meant keeping an eye on the Facebook groups and checking for the NOTAMs relating to a potential display.

The first indication that there might be a ‘Final Display’ at the weekend came from a chance look at the NOTAMs for Sywell which showed 3 display slots on the Saturday, a quick check of the Sywell Aerodrome Facebook Group confirmed that the Blades Ball was occurring on the Saturday and that they would be performing a couple of displays during the day, culminating with a display that was due to take place at 8pm. Knowing how busy it would be for both attendees of the Blades Ball and those wishing to watch the aerial action from the car park, I elected to arrive about an hour or so ahead of the 8pm slot. This meant that I was met by a plethora of activity both on the ground and in the air, with Tiger Moths, Robinson R44 helicopters, a Dragon Rapide and a PA31 providing some short aerial experiences for those attending the event.

After the experience flights had come to a halt, the buzz of anticipation and chatter from both sides of the fence was broken by the sound of The Blades starting up with the Spitfire (MH415) firing up not long after and them all heading out on taxi for departure. This raised the level of excitement for those on the fence line when we realised there was 5 Blades, they normally fly a 4 ship, and a Spitfire coming together in a formation. This gave rise to some of the best passes I have ever seen at Sywell, each one a little lower and closer to those lucky onlookers who had managed to find a space in the carpark or secure a ticket to the Ball. This formation was extra special due to the pilot leading the formation being Andy Offer the original Blade 1 and who the G-OFFO aircraft is named after. Those familiar with Sywell will understand how low these passes were based on the photos (note in the third photo below, their is an aircraft that is still not visible due to it being behind the hangar)

After the flypasts, Andy Offer and the Spitfire, expertly flown by Dave Puleston, broke away and landed prior to the main formation carrying out the display in some stunning light. Those that have photographed at Sywell from the car park will know the pain of an evening photography there with the sun bright and lower in the sky, and for the most part right in the direction where much of the action takes place for the display, so this was a bit challenging but I think I made the most of the situation. The display was flown with same precision and energy that The Blades were known for with some exceptional solo and formation flying and it really felt as though they wanted to go out with one last bang and really show everyone just how good they are.

Then, after one final Champagne Break, taxi in, providing a cloud of smoke in front of the Blades Ball guests and the synchronised shut down of the engines, the 4 Blades pilots all hopped out to rapturous applause from all those on both sides of the fences. With a couple of final hugs between the crew and more cheering and applause the PA announcement of “If you could please make your way to Hanger 1, dinner is being served’ ringing out, it very quickly dawned on everyone attending that was it, the final display had happened and there would be no more Blades displays and will be sorely missed on the display circuit.

Thanks for taking the time to read this,

Matt