Hello, my name is Ben Lovegrove and in this video I'm going to reflect on twenty glorious
years of the Goodwood Revival.
The Revival is many things to many people. Some attend primarily for the cars. Some for
the bikes. Some for the aircraft. And some for the fashion. For others it's not one thing
that draws them, It's the whole atmosphere of celebration and joy. For anyone who has
attended even only once, this event needs no introduction.
For those who haven't been there are some introductory links in the description field
below.
Click SHOW MORE to reveal the links.
I can't remember exactly the first year I attended. I have video footage from 2002 but
I'm fairly certain I was there before that.
I may not be able to claim attendance at all twenty Revivals but it's somewhere in the
high teens.
This footage I recorded in 2002 shows how the aircraft taking part in the air displays
used to park in front of the Aero Club clubhouse.
There would be a barrier in the fence, manned by a suitably uniformed guard, checking badges
of those who approached.
You could walk all around the many Spitfires, Mustangs, and other aircraft, and chat to
the pilots who flew them.
In these images from 2003 you can see a line-up of Spitfires and Mustangs, including "Ferocious
Frankie" and "Jumpin' - Jacques".
The aerial images were taken from a seat aboard a de Havilland Dragon Rapide that was giving
pleasure flights.
At the 2004 Revival I took these pictures of a Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, "No Guts,
no Glory".
At the 2006 Revival I was admiring the line-up when a pilot very kindly invited me to sit
in the cockpit of the Mk.Vb Spitfire EP120 (G-LFVB), known as "City of Winnipeg".
This same Spitfire was present at the 2018 event and took part in the early morning displays.
Glam Cabs have been a Revival constant for years and they were there in 2006.
As were these two in their Air Hostess uniforms.
There was another impressive flight line of warbirds in 2008.
And a tipi village with psychedelic transport nearby.
In 2009 this immaculately restored Bell Huey helicopter dropped in.
I don't think a Huey has been at the Revival before or since.
And there was quite a 1960s groove going on at the main entrance.
And elsewhere around the site.
Was it 2010 when the Tesco shop made its first appearance?
That's when I took this picture. I'm old enough to remember Green Shield Stamps!
In 2011 my uncle Peter Lovegrove exhibited his restored Puss Moth G-FAVC.
And there was plenty more to see in the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation concours d'elegance
for pre-1966 aircraft.
In 2012 the skies were filled once again with the sound of those wonderous Merlin engines.
In 2013 the Great Train Robbery exhibit greeted visitors as they arrived at the main gate.
And this trio sung their harmonies outside Tescos.
The St. Trinian's school girls made their way around the site.
As did Laurel & Hardy.
Also that year, I took a lot more pictures of cars, particularly those passing by on
the startline straight.
And many more in the paddocks.
In 2014 we had some very special air displays from vintage Cold War jets.
A Canberra bomber and two Hunters roared by overhead.
It was a real thrill to see and hear these aircraft.
Once again there were some great costumes and other eye-catching displays . By 2015
I was taking snaps everywhere I walked.
And what a year it was.
It was the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
So there were plenty of aircraft at Goodwood, not just for the Revival, but also for the
celebrations that took part at the airfield a week or two later.
That day was Battle of Britain Day, 15th September.
On that day in 1940 over 1,500 aircraft took part in an aerial battle as the Luftwaffe
once again attacked London.
Thanks to the RAF, Britain held firm, the Battle of Britain was over, and the Nazi invasion
of the British mainland was postponed indefinitely.
In 2016, perhaps due to the glut of aircraft photos from the previous year, I seem to have
concentrated more on the cars.
Motoring fans will probably be thinking, "What kept you?".
In 2017 I took plenty of pictures of the RAC TT Celebration on Sunday 11th September.
I chose Madgwick Corner as the vantage point for these.
And so to 2018, when the Revival was everything we've come to know and love, and to which
we look forward to from the moment the last Revival ends.
The air displays may be fewer and tamer but we must count our blessings.
Check my YouTube channel for more video clips from previous years.
What are your memories of the Revival during the past 20 years?
What were the highlights? Post your comments below.
Happy Landings and see you at the next Revival!