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Events

Engineering Open Workshop 2024

Our annual ‘Open Workshop’ event provides the opportunity across 2 days to learn what it takes to restore, rebuild, maintain and operate one of the world’s most extensive collections of working vintage agricultural exhibits, veteran & vintage vehicles and aircraft from the earliest days of flight.

We will have exhibits on show in the Engineering hangar in a condition to allow you to view and photograph what some of our machines look like under the surface.

You will also have the chance to speak with staff, volunteers and apprentices about what it’s like to work with The Collection, as well as demonstrations, talks and STEM activities for all ages across the 2 days.

In addition to this don’t forget to take advantage of our Spitfire sit-in – the chance to sit in a genuine 1942 Mark Vc Spitfire, AR501, which amongst other duties in WW2 escorted the infamous USAAF B-17 ‘Memphis Belle’. Tickets for this are sold separately – see link below.

And subject to weather, we hope to operate some of the Collections working agricultural vehicles, cars or motorcycles for demonstration purposes, as well as conduct engine runs on our 1918 Avro 504K out on the airfield.

Collection Aircraft on display:

  • 1934 Hawker Hind – undergoing restoration
  • 1934 de Havilland DH88 Comet ‘Grosvenor House’ – undergoing annual inspection
  • 1942 Supermarine Spitfire MK VC – sit-in opportunity
  • 1945 DH89a Dragon Rapide – undergoing partial restoration
  • 1932 Comper Swift – have a go at ‘find the faults’
  • 1918 Avro 504K – engine runs both days on the airfield (subject to weather & serviceability)

Collection Vehicles on display:

  • 1900 Marot-Gardon Quadricycle – A full restoration has been begun by the Shuttleworth Volunteers
  • 1950 Bond Minibyke has recently emerged from a lengthy restoration project
  • Two of the ongoing restorations, Phoenix (our General Purpose Traction Engine) and the Living Van, will be on display.  Phoenix will hopefully be performing the first public steaming in Shuttleworth ownership

 

Unique Activities

 

Spitfire Sit-in Experience (separate ticket required)

We are thrilled to offer the unique opportunity to sit in our own Supermarine Spitfire during the weekend. Please book your ticket on this page.

Talks

Join the Shuttleworth Collection’s Pilot and former Chief Pilot Dodge Bailey as he talks about the de Havilland DH88 Comet at 11:00 and 13:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

Airfix Make ‘n’ Paint

Free with our friends from IPMS Brampton.

 

Discovery Team

In the Engineering Workshop, with our Discovery Team and Engineering Apprentices, try your hand at:

  • Wing rib construction
  • STIXX fuselage construction
  • Wire locking
  • Tapping & Dyeing

 

Clayton & Shuttleworth Heritage Team

Our Clayton & Shuttleworth Heritage Team will have our 1919 6nhp General Purpose Engine in steam, and you can see the progress on our restorations of our 1901 Living Van and our 1908 4nhp portable. Also, you can find out about the intriguing telegraph code that Clayton & Shuttleworth employed to ensure excellent customer service across their global empire.

STAY

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Accommodation is available at Shuttleworth House.

For more information and to book, click here.

 

 

Getting here by Car

 

The event entrance is Alder Drive – SG18 9DT

We are located two miles due west of the A1 at Biggleswade, approx 20 miles from J13 on M1.

Address

Shuttleworth
Alder Drive
Biggleswade
Bedfordshire

SatNav USE SG18 9DT