It had been a very hot summer, extraordinarily so, reputedly the hottest since 1976, which would be beyond the recall of many.  It started to end with a hurricane across The Pond blowing warm wind across the UK, quickly followed by a surprise drop in temperature, with severe weather in the south anticipated over the weekend of The Tiger, this year to be held at Sherburn in Yorkshire.

Inexplicably entries had been tardy, but by closing date totalled 19. Alas forecast and actual weather reduced this to 11, low for what is considered to be one of the most prestigious of British Aerobatic’s trophy inventory.

Briefing was held promptly at 0930L by Eric Marsh as Contest Director, Ian Scott as Chief Judge, and Richard Maxstead as Airfield Operator. The latter expressed concern over potential conflict between the extended centreline of the active runway and the southern edge of the box, which was safely resolved by a small alteration to the nominal location of the box and supplementary  instructions to other airfield users. 

Flying commenced at 1100 sharp under a 4000 ft cloud cover and a cold but gentle breeze, both of which endured the day. Expeditious continuity by all pilots facilitated completion by 1345 with only one glitch, caused by separation of a fuel tank from its filler cap: it is said that there are ONLY pilots who have done it, and pilots who are going to do it. (One of our number always carries a spare!)

A break for a hurried judges’ lunch followed – with live musical accompaniment ☺ - then a restart at 1445, with all but one of the Tiger entrants flying a second “Surprise Unknown” for the Team Tankard, finishing just 3 hours later. 

Eric M as CD closed the event – sadly the last of the season – by thanking all who had contributed to its evident success: Sherburn’s personnel, BA’s officials and, most especially, the competing pilots, who probably endure the greatest stress… and expense. FAY, the radio operator at Sherburn, put a face to a voice and - with shy reluctance – did an excellent job in presenting the several awards to the winners listed elsewhere.

Eric Marsh, Contest Director