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Sad News – April 2013
On Monday 29th April, following a long illness, we said farewell to
Dave Ray – a stalwart of our Ground crew for many years. Along with brother
John, who passed away last year, the “Ray” brothers were the backbone of our
ground crew for many years. I well remember when I first joined the Turb
Team how well I was look after by these 2 gentlemen of the “old school”.
They are both sadly missed by the Team and the Tiger Club.
Thank you John and Dave for bringing a Ray of sunshine to the Team.
Jules
Practising – April 2013
The weather having now changed for the better, we
have had 2 wonderful days of practise at Stow Maries Aerodrome in Essex.
We are now ready for the opening of the season which, incidentally, will be at
the Vintage Fly-In at Stow Maries, Essex on 11th & 12th May. See you
there.
Winter Wonderland – January 2013
Seven Club Members braved the icy conditions to get to the Club and take
advantage of the snowy weather in true Tiger Club style. This is the 4th
consecutive year we have been snow-turbing. Photo: Emma Reynolds
Season’s Greetings to all our Friends
Another year has almost passed and we say goodbye to another season of fun and frollicks. The Olympic Airspace restrictions and the appalling weather did not stop us from attending every show we were booked for this year. May we wish to all a very Merry Christmas and look forward to see you at an airshow next year.
Jules
September 2012: Wedding Day
Newly-wed Judith looks on as the Turb Team perform outside the church on her wedding day. Well, what do you expect if she marries a member of the Ground Crew! The Team all send their very best wishes for the future to Dave and Judith.
Saturday 18th August 2012: Ray of Sunshine, Old Hay Fly-in
This weekend scorching temperatures and sunny skies made for a great turn out at Old Hay Fly-In.
We flew in formation the arduous 9 nautical miles along the railway line from Headcorn Aerodrome for a six-ship formation arrival with five Turbs and a Cessna 120.
We were in good company on the flight line with fellow display acts Tiger Nine, Trig Duo, Tiger Club Stampes and solo acts Fournier, CAP10, Extra300, Decathlon, Stearman and Cub. The BBMF Spitfire and Hurricane also displayed making for a fantastic mix of vintage and modern aircraft.
Around 500 people braved the heat at the private air show for what was a special display for the Turb Team: We gave a flamboyant barnstorming display as we flew the display in memory of John Ray, former dedicated ground crew member for over 10 years who sadly passed away on Saturday. Thanks for sending us your ray of sunshine John. You will be missed.
Saturday / Sunday 11/12th August 2012: Barnstorming at home
Last weekend (Sat 11 - Sun 12 August) brought scorching sunshine to our home airfield Headcorn Aerodrome for the annual Combined Ops Airshow. The Turb Team had a HUGE amount of fun performing our traditional barnstorming display to entertain an energetic crowd of up to 6,000 each day.
Friends and family of the Turb Team joined the public to cheer on Alan, Jules, Richard, Glyn, Colyn and Mike fly the display in perfect conditions. Dave enjoyed his second show as Turb Ground Crew ably assisted by Nicolas Smith and the man with the duvet of balloons Alan Fuller of course! Keeping the crowd excited during the display was Sam on the commentary ensuring the Turbs got lots of applause from kids young and old.
There is nothing quite like displaying at our own airfield especially in the good company of solo displays such as Rob Davies in his Yak 11, Richie Piper in the Ryan PT and Will Greenwood performing a WW2 re-enactment in his Bucker Bestman.
Friday 10th August 2012: Wedding Bells
A few months ago one of the Tiger Club members proudly announced he was due to be Father of the Bride at his daughter's wedding in Sussex. So on a sunny Friday 10th August we put on our dickie bows for a very special display as the Bride and Groom emerged from the church.
Alan supported the display on the ground at the church in Sussex and apparently the wedding guests oo-ed and ahhh-ed in all the right places. In less than a month the team will be performing at our second wedding of the season for another Tiger Club member, who is also one of the Turb Team ground crew. Now where did we put the confetti?
Thursday 19th July, Turb Team fly in Olympic Torch formation over Kent
The Turb Team was delighted to join the Tiger Club for a formation flypast of 14 Historic aircraft over Leeds Castle and Mote Park on Thursday 19th July, as the Olympic Torch travelled from Dover to Maidstone on Day 62 of the Olympic Torch Parade. Turb Display Pilots Julie Garside, Mike Kemp, Jonathan Wilkins and Colyn Randall flew at the back of the formation behind a Piper Cub, Cessna 120 (flown by Turb Team Leader, Alan Garside), two Bucker Jungmann biplanes, four Stampes
and the Tiger Club’s famous Tiger Moth G-ACDC leading the formation. Joining the formation was a transponder-fitted aircraft, a Robin DR400, which included Turb Team ground crew member Sam Williams taking film footage and photographs. Supporting on the ground was head of Ground Crew Alan Fuller, who captured some wonderful ground-to-air shots of the formation.
Julie commented: “The Turb Team has been flying formation displays since the late 1950s so the opportunity to fly a large formation for the Olympic Torch was a real bonus and we had a HUGE amount of fun! Flying over thousands of people gathered at Leeds Castle was a truly memorable experience.”
*** STOP PRESS*** Turbs join the Olympics!
The Turb Team will join in the Olympic celebrations this week with a Formation Balbo made up of vintage and modern aircraft for the Olympic Torch Parade in Maidstone. A Display practice takes place on Monday evening (16th July) at 1800 from Headcorn Aerodrome and the Display will take place on Thursday evening over Mote Park, Maidstone from around 1800. Photos to follow.
7-8 July: Tiger Club Garden Party and Tibenham Air Festival
The Team joined other vintage aircraft at Stow Maries Aerodrome on Saturday 7th July for the annual Tiger Club Garden Party. After a high-level formation display practice, we joined other Tiger Club members and friends for a tour of the WWI airfield to view the Grade Two Listed buildings currently being restored including the Royal Flying Corps Officer’s Mess and a recently-opened museum.
The torrential rain first thing on Sunday morning looked like we were destined to stay nicely tucked in the hangar at Stow Maries. By 1130 it began to look a bit more promising and, checking the weather on route at least for the 100th time, we decided to set off for Tibenham. Our route took us more to the north to dodge the really big showers but it didn’t stop us getting a bit wet before arriving at Tibenham in time for the display. A showery afternoon did not seem to dampen the Tibenham visitors’ spirits. We were lucky to have a short break in the rain and managed our display without getting wet again (which pleased the Ground crew immensely), ably assisted with a commentary from Sam to really get the crowd going.
The showers finally ceased and the sun came out for a beautiful formation flight back to Headcorn Aerodrome, just in time for a refreshing drink in the Wings Bar before sunset.
Thank you Stow Maries and the Norfolk Gliding Club for your hospitality over this damp but very entertaining weekend.
More photos of this weekend in the Gallery.
June 2012
Sunny start to the season: Folkestone Air Show & Ham Street, Kent
Sunny skies welcomed the crowds at Folkestone Air Show on Saturday 2nd
June for the Turb Team’s first display of the season.
Performing a special formation display adapted for use over the sea -
where poles, balloons and flour bombing are not possible - the Turb Team
entertained the crowds in blustery conditions between headline acts
including the Red Arrows and Eurofighter Typhoon.
Flying directly from the coast to Ham Street Country Show, the Turb Team switched leaders from Mike Kemp to Glyn Richards for their standard barnstorming routine. Displaying after the Tiger Club’s Tony Richards in the CAP10 and Chris Jesson in the Stampe, the Turb Team had the locals cheering at the flour bombing and balloon bursting in true Turb tradition!
After a quick refuel at Pent Farm, the Turb Team flew in formation with the Tiger Club’s Stampes for a Jubilee Balbo finale to end the Folkestone Air Show.
May 2012
Despite the good ‘ole British weather, we have managed quite a few practise days and all Display Authorisations have been renewed for the up-coming season. Contact Jules if you would like details and costs of our display./p>
April 2012
Global Aviation Resource the online aviation magazine have written an article about the Turb Teams displays.
February 2012
TThe recent snowfall enable us to, once again, get the “ski-turb” out of the hangar for the 3rd
year running. Clear blue skies on 11th February ensured a good view of the snow-covered countryside.
8th January 2012
Happy New Year to all our friends.
We are now taking bookings for the 2012 season. Contact Jules for details.
28th August 2011
WHEELIE GOOD FUN AT DUNSFOLD WINGS & WHEELS
Sunny skies and a cheering crowd welcomed the Turb Team at Dunsfold
Wings & Wheels on August Bank Holiday weekend. On Sunday the rain
showers held off for the display, which provided some light relief from
the Military acts including the 60th anniversary of the Hawker Hunters
and the impressive RAF Hawk Solo display. On Monday an on-crowd wind
made for challenging balloon bursting and an exciting display with a
great reaction from the public. Dunsfold marked a number of milestones for the team including his
first display away from home soil for new Ground Crew member Jack
Prendergast, with his debut show at Headcorn IMPS earlier in the month;
Jonathan Wilkins flew his fourth display marking a successful end to
his first season with the Team; Samantha Williams joined Brendan O’
Brien in the commentary box while Colyn Randall flew his 71st display
with the Team! Dunsfold marked an enthusiastic end to the Turbulent
Display Team season for 2011.
1st March 2011
As
we commence training for the 2011 season, we welcome Jonathan Wilkins to the
Team. Jonathan commenced training late last year before the weather changed
so we look forward to seeing him at his first air display later this year.
We look forward to seeing you at an air show near you this year!
19th February 2011
The New Season is almost upon us!
Having had all the fun in the snow, it’s time to discard the skis and get out the rags and wax for a bit of spit & polish to get the Turbs all spick and span for the new season. Work on the Annuals stars this month and training begins in March. If you want to know where we are displaying this year, go to the
“Where to see us” page – this will be updated on a regular basis.
We look forward to seeing you at an air show near you this year!
Jules
19th December 2010
A Sight not seen in 22 Years!!
On 19th December 2010, Team Pilots Alan and Julie Garside took to the skies in 2 Snow-turbs, a sight not seen since 1988 when the Tiger Club was based at Redhill, so a first for Headcorn. Thank you Dave Evans for the photo. Go to the gallery for more photos of the snow-turbs and other antics at the Tiger Club on this day.
Photo courtesy: Dave Evans;
This link takes you to a fantastic video taken by Sam Whatmough.
Jules in the Snowturb over Headcorn in Dec 2010. Thanks to Alan Fuller, our Ground Crew Chief, for letting us share this on our website and for braving the freezing cold in the front of a Stampe to take the video./p>
3rd December 2010
The Snow-Turb Takes to the skies again! The recent weather has, once again,
allowed Tiger Club members the chance to experience flying
off skis. 
Only this time, we flew GZ. We now have 2 turbs on skis so a
turb formation over a snowy Kent is definitely on the cards for the next
fall of snow. Us pilots may be enjoying the snow but spare a few thoughts
for our mascot, Max, who doesn't appear to be all that happy. Don't be
fooled by the sad face, this is after a mad 10 minutes chasing snowballs!!!
- Jules
12th September 2010
Well, what a fantastic end to the season!! No-one would have thought we would get there looking at the weather on Saturday morning.
However, we set off in very murky conditions and popped out into beautiful sunshine mid-channel. An excellent reception awaited us on arrival plus a very nice evening in the hotel for all the participating pilots and the usual dignitaries.
Saturday’s bad weather finally hit Lens overnight and we woke up to cloud and rain, however this cleared through well before the display started.
We displayed at 4pm with our standard routine and landed to pick up the flags and
taxi down the crowd line to re-fuel. The response from the crowd was incredible with the whole line waving and clapping as we went by.
We very quickly got everything packed away for our trip back and taxied to the hold, the crowd heartily waving us good-bye.
We left for home in much better weather than we went out, arriving back in plenty of time for Drinks at the Bell in the evening.
- Photo courtesy of Frederic Dubois
29th & 30th August 2010
Despite
a blustery crosswind and intermittent showers on day one of the Dunsfold
Wings and Wheels, an enthusiastic crowd spurred on by a great commentary
from the Tiger Club’s infamous Brendan O’Brien encouraged the determination
of the Turb Pilots and Ground Crew to deliver an entertaining display on
Sunday 29th August. Day two brought sunny skies and a gentle 7kt northerly
breeze setting the perfect conditions for a neat formation followed by
dynamic flying through the hoop, flour bombing and balloon bursting ending
in cheers and frantic waving from the crowd. The Team has been inundated
with praise from show visitors young and old via this website, Facebook and
in person at the show from several display pilots with a bit of experience
under their belt.
Go to the Gallery – “We were there” for pictures from this event
28th July 2010
The turbs are now back at Headcorn after an epic journey to and from Culdrose. Tuesday saw typical British
summer weather and we were delayed getting out of Headcorn. With a fuel stop at Popham we just managed to creep into Dunkeswell before the cloud hit the deck and it began raining. We were here for the duration! We managed to get out Wednesday morning and arrived at Culdrose with just 2 hours before we were to display. Our display went very well and we relaxed for the rest of the day and watched the show. Nothing like sitting on the display line with a Vulcan roaring over your head!!!
Our trip home on Thursday in glorious sunshine over some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK made up for the bad weather on Tuesday. With fuel stops at Dunkeswell and Lasham, we arrived home in plenty of time for beer at the Bell. 8 hours flying - what an adventure for such little aircraft!
Jules
13th June 2010
Our first show of the season is now behind us, and what
a great start to the season. With a fairly leisurely trip across the
Channel, we arrived at Merville and within a few minutes of landing, we had
champagne glasses in our hands! We were due to display at 1607
on Sunday and, right on time we had taxied up to the hold with flags flying.
We took off on time and went through our routine, putting in an extra
balloon run. A bit of a rush afterwards to get re-fuelled and ready
for departure but we managed to get off at 1730 and enjoyed a very calm and
pleasant crossing of the channel returning to Headcorn with the usual run
and break.
A great weekend and a fantastic start to the season – photos are in the Gallery
17th April 2010
We could not believe our luck at the weekend when Gatwick ATC gave the all
clear for The Tiger Club to fly a Balbo formation at 1,000ft over what is
usually one of the busiest runways in the world. NO WAY were we going to
miss this opportunity to fly over Gatwick! Joining us in the
formation were 3 Tiger Moths, 3 Stampes, a Midget Mustang, a Pulsar, a Piper
Cub and a Bucker Jungmann - all flown by Tiger Club formation pilots.
What better excuse to have a Spring formation practice ahead of the busy air
show season? We finally persuaded Richard to take to the skies
to take some photos of the fly-past from the air - you can see his fantastic
results via the link below:
http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=21902
Jules p class="style7">April 2010
GZ get a new coat!!!
GZ takes to the skies again following refurbishment. She sure looks pretty now that the fuselage has bee re-sprayed.
18th February 2010
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Pre-season spit
& polish!!
‘MZ’ takes to the air again following extensive work to convert to an electronic ignition system. With this work completed we now start on a bit of TLC on ‘GZ’ with a planned respray of the fuselage.
18th December 2009
Once again the chaos caused by all the snow in the South-East, hasn’t
stopped us from having some fun!!! We took the opportunity of donning
the skis for the second time this year.
May we wish all our friends and supporters a Very Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you at an airshow near you in 2010!
JulesThe end of a great season
The end of the 2009 season has come and we look back on
some exciting and enjoyable displays culminating in 2 Turbs joining a Balbo
of 11 aircraft and flying over the old Croydon Airfield on 27th
September to commemorate the closing of the Airfield 50 years ago. But
we won’t be stopping just because Winter draws on!!! We will continue
to partake of our aerial antics at Headcorn Airfield for as long as the
weather allows. Late Evening Balbos on a Sunday are a matter of
course!!! If you are anywhere near Headcorn, why not pop into the
Tiger Club and say Hello, the kettle is always on . . .
Watch this space for news of where to see us next year.