A record-breaking gathering of autogyros was held over the weekend at Old Warden, near Biggleswade.
The event, held in association with the British Rotorcraft Association, saw 60 gyros land – breaking last year’s record of 47.
Leading the line of aircraft was ‘Little Nellie’ from the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice – with Vicky Wallis, the daughter of its designer Wing Commander Ken Wallis, in attendance.
Laura de la Cierva, the great-granddaughter of original gyro designer Juan de la Cierva, was also at Shuttleworth.
She placed stickers of her great-grandfather and his first prototype machine onto each gyro.
Organiser Steve Paffett spoke to the Comet about the event, saying: There was an impressive turnout and the public at large really seemed to love the event.
“The highlight of the day was to see so many of one type of aircraft in one place and the camaraderie of the pilots.
“It was a privilege to have Laura and Vicky there as well.”
There’s another display at Old Warden this Saturday, when the Shuttleworth Collection holds its June Evening Airshow.
The gates open at 12 noon, and the flying starts at 6pm. Tickets are £18 for adults, with children getting in free – for more see shuttleworth.org.
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