Wings and Wheels with Ashford Faversham MGOC
Dennis Creed sets off Saturday’s Invicta Run in his 1948 MG TC – photo Rob Oliver
R Pilborough’s 1994 MG RV8 on the Invicta Run – photo Rob Oliver
Oldest car at the show 1935 Ford Model C
The Dobbins’ MG TF 1500 – photo Rob Oliver
Executive Motoring Services
John Brown’s immaculate MGC GT
It’s always a risk to change a successful formula but after a series of excellent well-attended and popular events, Ashford and Faversham MGOC decided on a change of venue and went from steam travel to the air at the Kent Gliding Club at Charing airfield. This new venue proved to be an ideal choice as the Gliding Club made everyone feel very welcome and the airfield was just the right size for over 200 MGs and other invited classics to park up. The Wings and Wheels weekend began with the Invicta Road Run on Saturday which started from the Airfield took entrants on a ninety-mile scenic drive around the Kent countryside.
On Sunday there was a really good turnout of immaculate MGs and Club displays from Ashford and Faversham, the host club, plus local area groups from Maidstone, East Sussex, Dartford, St Albans and Epsom. The Jaguar Enthusiast Club of Kent South had an excellent display of sports and saloon models. Also there was representatives from the Morris Register, P5 Owners Club, Sunbeam Alpine Owners Club, Daimler-Lagonda Owners Club and Kent Classics and Sports Car Club. The were trade stands from Grant Widdowson the local approved Autoglym products retailer and Executive Motoring Services of Upchurch with a display of gleaming modern MGs. There was even an ex-Portsmouth Town Bus Service double decker 1935 Leyland TD4 on display, courtesy of its owner Martin Mac Farlane.
Bob Chuter with yet another immaculate restoration, this time a 1972 BGT
Dartford MGOC’s award winning display
The Tiger Cub Turbulent Formation Team delighted the crowds
Brian receives his award from Fred Robinson
Fred Robinson addresses the assembly with Brian Richardson on his left and Mike Moulang from the Kent Gliding Club on the right
Tiger Cub flys limbo style through the gate
Bücker Jungmann, a 1930s trainer aircraft
Modern MG of the show – Brian Stymest’s MG SV-R
Jaguar Enthusiasts with award winning E-type
The Kent Gliding Club’s airfield venue generated a friendly atmosphere and visitors were able to wander about and inspect the aircraft and gliders unimpeded. After admiring the planes and gliders on the ground it was then possible to enjoy watching the flying displays during the afternoon, first with model aircraft, then the Tiger Club Turbulent Formation went into action with a thrilling display of formation flying. These agile little VW powered planes flew in tight formation before swooping down on the airfield to fly limbo style between the posts of a narrow start/finish gate. After that they precision dropped flour bombs onto the airfield and they then flew over and burst rising helium filled balloons in flight that had been released from the field. The atmosphere created when classic planes fly over classic cars was reminiscent of the Goodwood Revival where classic wings and wheels also blend effectively.
On display but sadly unable to fly on the day was a Bücker Jungmann, a 1930s trainer aircraft with true aerobatic capability, chosen as the primary basic trainer for the then expanding German Luftwaffe.
It is always a pleasure to meet up with fellow MG and classic car owners and the Wings and Wheels Sunday felt rather like attending a big garden party. The little restaurant was busy all day and its cheerful ladies kept everyone supplied with excellent refreshments, their homemade cakes were particularly good.
Fred Robinson, MGOC Regional Secretary for the South East, presented the awards, the oldest car at the show was a 1933 Ford 10 Model C owned by A J Keenan of Hastings, the furthest travelled was awarded to A D Curr who travelled from Lincolnshire in his Triumph 1300. Dartford MGOC won the best club display, while the best non-MG at the show was an E-type Jaguar owned by B J Smith, best classic MG was Dennis Creed’s 1948 TC and best modern MG was Brian Stymest’s 2004 MG SV-R.
A most enjoyable day spent in great company and my special thanks to Brian Richardson, Dean Richardson, Sue & Mike Smart, Ray & Pat Wells and Chris Leigh for helping run event and all the members of Ashford & Faversham who always make me so welcome. Thanks also to Rob Oliver for the Invicta Run photos and Mike Moulang and Alan Garside from the Gliding Club for providing such a charming venue.
Richard Ladds