2024 Event Archive
Leicester, Leicestershire
14th SEPTEMBER 2024
Well finally, for the first time since the meet at Sleap in April, the weather was forecast to be, and remained, pleasant with plenty of sunshine. Accordingly, 30 vintage Pipers alighted at this lovely aerodrome which, as RAF Leicester East in WW2 was the base for two squadrons of Short Stirlings, and until the mid-1970’s known as Staughton. A handful of members arrived by road too.
The Leicestershire Aero Club were magnificent hosts with their superb clubhouse available for VPAC-ers to use, and the food and drink were excellent. Our thanks to Kat and her team of A/G operators in the Tower, the fire personnel and marshallers, as well as the Clubhouse bar staff. A selection of photos follow.
Oaksey Park, Wiltshire
10th AUGUST 2024
Despite the forecast having promised benign conditions the day began with low cloud and drizzle. This persisted until mid-morning before moving away to the east / northeast. In this way the front blocked many would-be visitors from getting to Oaksey, some never even got airborne due to 500ft cloud bases. Despite this initial setback, Nigel and Gaynor Bailes manned the BBQ and Salad Bar respectively, thus ensuring that everyone was well fed. By lunchtime sunny, warm conditions prevailed and as the day improved a total of nine aircraft arrived to join the 4 that had flown in the previous day, plus the resident Tri-Pacer of the BUVA group. There were also 10 attendees by road.
Oaksey Park is a most delightful airfield, one cannot help but relax in it’s bucolic surrounds and we are grateful to Dave, manager on the day and the Austen family for facilitating such a memorable event.
Cromer / Northrepps, Norfolk
7th July 2024 (postponed from the previous day)
The owner and visionary behind this wonderful airfield, Chris Gurney, passed away suddenly a few days beforehand but we decided to continue with our meeting as a tribute to his courage, fortitude and vision in creating this haven for light aeroplane flying in this beautiful part of Britain. When making the decision to postpone (T-72hrs) the weather for the Sunday was initially forecast to be quite benign, so it was with great disappointment that we organisers watched as the whole synoptic pattern changed and Sunday, after an initial bright and sunny start, began to slowly deteriorate into our summer staple of thundery showers.
Anyone who had considered flying up to Cromer were no doubt put off by the ominous forecast so as a result we had just two visitors by air, the stalwart Geoff Taylor all the way from Tatenhill, and a local visitor from nearby Priory Farm who joined the Club upon arrival. Two other members and their wives who were holidaying in Norfolk also dropped in, along with an old friend and ex-colleague from Norfolk’s own airline, Air Anglia, which graced these skies 50 years ago.
This is a busy little airfield in its own right, with many folk from near and far arriving to eat at the superb Cabin Crew Diner, responsible for the tantalising wafts of frying bacon drifting across to the VPAC HQ on the verandah! We who were there enjoyed our day nevertheless, and the welcome we received from Kevin and his team was second to none. If you’ve not visited Northrepps International (as it is jokingly referred to), you really should make the effort.
The VPAC committee arrive to prepare the event
Geoff Taylor in his Jodel 112
Bill & Jan Savin, Geoff Taylor and Nigel Bailes visiting the VPAC Verandah
The busy Cabin Crew Diner
Richard and Marje Keech begin the long trip home through the bad weather
VPAC 40th Anniversary, Sywell
8th June 2024
This most enjoyable event was to commemorate the founding here in 1984 of the Club and was held on the lawn outside the Aviator Hotel. After a blustery, wet start, conditions improved and by early afternoon 28 vintage Pipers and their crews had flown in, along with many others arriving by road. Thanks to the generosity of Tony Whitlock who, along with Colin Stearn and Robin Norton were the original founders, everyone was treated to lunch. Colin commissioned a beautiful glass bowl, engraved with the VPAC logo, which Richard Keech presented to Roger Peperell who was instrumental in ensuring the continued existence of the Club in the early days.
By afternoon the skies had cleared and 28 classic and vintage aircraft were parked outside The Aviator
Sywell wearing the classic Piper look
Roger Peperell is presented with an engraved glass bowl for his years of service to the Club
Perth, Scotland
25th May 2024
Our first-ever event held north of the border was bracketed by atrocious weather which no doubt dissuaded many would-be attendees from flying in; however, on the day it was quite clement and a total of 8 aircraft and their crews were present as well as those that came by road. Superbly hosted by the ever-welcoming Elaine of the Scottish Aero Club and locally-based pilot Russell Myles, a total of 15 members enjoyed a convivial barbecue which enabled many of us “southerners” to meet or renew friendships with Scottish-based fellow members.
Mike Mothershaw and Hilary running VPAC HQ, Russell Myles looks on
The Scottish Aero Club from a Cub’s perspective
Der Grillmeister,
Russell Myles
Ilonka de Groot, Charlie Monsell, Alan Nicholson and Kiki
Sleap, Shropshire
20th April 2024
The season opener was held in fine weather at the VPAC’s spiritual home. Chris Winch flew his Super Cub all the way from his base at Jersey to join the 21 other VPAC aircraft that flew in plus 5 home-based aircraft, along with a number who drove to the event, one travelling from Cumbria. After the excessive rain of the past few weeks it was fortunate that the grass area in front of the tower had dried enough to allow the aircraft to be parked there, and the nearby Club gazebo became a hub for socialising and activity.
Many thanks to Bruce Buglass and the team at the Shropshire Aero Club for facilitating such a great event!
Cub yeller aplenty
Pacer and Colt
General view of the VPAC parking area