Pilot Yeti?

When you look back in history you'd be forgiven for mistaking the ordinary for the extraordinary. A simple sheepskin fur jacket to keep a WWI pilot warm sounds perfectly reasonable. However the reality is quite a spectacle as this re-enactor from The Great War Society proves. "Is it Yeti?" I asked.

Today was the start of the air show season for me and my comrades on the Turbulent Display Team. We arrived by crew van, cars and aircraft at the nostalgic setting of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome in Essex sharply at 10am.

The light Northern wind of 7-12kts picked up to nearer 15-20kts by early afternoon and a cool 15C felt considerably less. Thankful for my four layers of clothes and steady supply of Earl Grey Tea by the volunteers in the Mess Room; it felt more like October than May!

A sporting yet colourful display by the Turbs gave the team a great buzz for our season starter, while a graceful Stampe duo formation from our fellow flying buddies was a delight to see (and commentate).

My week has been immersed in reliving history and so it was only fitting to return home to watch Hollow Crown: The War of the Roses - Henry VI Part 2 and a captivating performance by Benedict Cumberbatch as Richard III at my beloved Castle disguised as the Tower of London.

After a hectic couple of weeks it was like a breath of fresh air to be back with my aviation buddies and a total stress reliever. So much so that domestic chores are being abandoned in favour of more Turbing tomorrow.