They are used to thrilling massive crowds along picturesque shorelines all over the globe in the Red Bull Air Race World Championships by flying the newest and slickest planes on the planet, but lately pilots Matt Hall and Nigel Lamb have been stealing the show in warbirds built for battle in decades past.
Last weekend, Australian Hall, flying a WWII P-51 Mustang, and Englishman Lamb, aboard a Spitfire Mk VIII, took part in a series of stunning displays at the Temora Aviation Museum’s Flying Weekend including a four-ship display alongside experienced airmen Guy Bourke in a Spitfire Mk XVI and Doug Hamilton in a P- 40 Kittyhawk.
Flying in formation to a brief put together by both Air Race competitors, the four pilots put on a performance to behold and one that legendary Australian aviator and the museum’s President and Founder David Lowy AM described as the best he had seen.
“I am overjoyed that I was able to be here today to see what those four guys did in that display,” Lowy told a packed crowd at the airfield.
“It is without doubt the best thing I have seen in all the years we have been hosting Flying Weekends here at Temora and it is a privilege to have been here to witness it.”
Hall was equally as excited to have taken part, believing anytime a pilot is able to fly one of the warbirds in formation with other planes from yesteryear is a great occasion.
“That was so much fun out there and something I will remember for a long time,” Hall, who broke all rookie records in this year’s Red Bull Air Race season when he finished third overall in the standings, said.
“I was leading the formation and I looked to my right and saw a spitfire, to my left and saw another spitfire and then looked at my six and saw a P-40. It was pretty inspiring stuff.
“I am enjoying my new career as a race pilot so much and already getting excited about the start of the 2010 season but I still love to be able to get involved in flying the warbirds and in particular my Mustang.
“Then to be able to do it with three other wonderful pilots including Nigel, a guy I race all year round is a real thrill.”
Hall will display at the “Show Us Ya Wheels” Car Show in Victorian regional town Numurkah this weekend, while Lamb will return to the UK.
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