Santa Pod last Saturday - WW1 era biplane?

[anonymous-user]

I was sat getting sunburnt at the Pod on saturday afternoon when (an hour or so after the BBMF Hurricane flypast) a biplane in RAF colours flew over very low and circled round, landing in a field not too far away. I think it was a Tiger Moth, but I'm not 100% sure and I certainly wasn't aware there was an airfield near the Pod. Anyone know anything about it or if I can find out somewhere please?

[Eric Mc]

A Tiger Moth is a lot more modern than World War 1. I think it first flew in 1932, only a few years before the Spitfire.

They aren't THAT rare so it is a good chance what you saw was a Tiger Moth. Many of them are painted in World War 2 era colours as they were used in large numbers during the war as basic trainers.

There are very few genuine World War 1 era aircraft flying (although there are quite a few replicas). If you want to see a real World War 1 aeroplane in the air, as far as the UK is concerned, the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden is the place to go.

[anonymous-user]

Thank you. I thought my pre WW2 aviation knowledge was limited, now I know it is

[Bomma R1]

We used to live close to Santa Pod, there's not an airfield as such nearby but there is a grass strip to the south of the site which seems to be privately owned. I've seen a few light aircraft coming and going there.

There's a bit of information about it here: https://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=103497

I'm afraid I've no idea about the aircraft you saw, I don't know who uses or has access to the strip.