Page 3 - August 2019
P. 3
We had asked and been assigned race number 54. This
was a good omen, since KDN was number 54 when she
won many races including the Kings Cup. We arrived at
a quirky little aerodrome called Popham. Two grass
runways and a funky set of buildings. The organisers
and competitors warmly greeted us. All of them were
very happy to see vintage air racer KDN arriving with
De Havilland Canada Chipmunk DHC-1 her numbers on and ready to race again. We weren’t
G-AKDN — 2016 United Kingdom Tour Pt. 17
quite so ready as we needed to complete an evaluation
By Dave Gillespie
Diving for the race finish line Karen and I are being passed flight to confirm we could fly 60 degree banked turns
by a gaggle of aircraft only meters away that appear to be without gaining or losing any altitude as well as fly an
going twice as fast as us. But this is Royal Aero Club octagon pattern at our race power setting to establish
handicap air racing and the fastest airplane may not be our handicap speed. Then I needed to complete my
the winner. KDN last air raced in the early fifties and won race application and was issued my FIA Air Racing Pilot
the Kings Cup over some much faster aircraft. If only I Licence. Wow, was I proud to receive that. Looked just
could fly as well as deHavilland test pilot Pat Fillingham, like the one Pat Fillingham had.
and if only Karen could navigate as well as Pat’s wife
Sonja. We’re just thrilled to be a part of it all.
A week after the 70th anniversary event at Old Warden
we were off to participate in our first air race. We had
asked and been assigned race number 54. This was a
good omen, since KDN was number 54 when she won
many races including the Kings Cup. We arrived at a
quirky little aerodrome called Popham. Two grass
runways and a funky set of buildings. The organisers and We completed two races over the weekend and were
competitors warmly greeted us. All of them were very happy to lead for most of the first race and lead the
happy to see vintage air racer KDN arriving with her whole second race. But between exceeding our
numbers on and ready to race again. We weren’t quite so handicap speed, cutting a few corners and losing count
ready as we needed to complete an evaluation flight to of what lap we were on and flying an extra one, the
confirm we could fly 60 degree banked turns without finish didn’t work out too well. Pretty good effort for
gaining or losing any altitude as well as fly an octagon beginners and we couldn’t expect more. We learned a
pattern at our race power setting to establish our lot, met a whole bunch of great people and most
handicap speed. Then I needed to complete my race important flew safe and had an absolute blast.
application and was issued my FIA Air Racing Pilot
We are now ready enter the Kings Cup. If we qualify, it
Licence. Wow, was I proud to receive that. Looked just
will be special to have KDN in the air again over the UK,
like the one Pat Fillingham had.
63 years after first winning the Kings Cup. Fingers
A week after the 70th anniversary event at Old Warden crossed for clear skies and fair winds.
we were off to participate in our first air race. to be continued...
