THIS stunning red aircraft is in pieces at a Kent airfield today after it cartwheeled and crashed. The pilot escaped serious injury but it is feared that the lightweight stunt plane will never fly again.

The pilot, a man in his 30s, was practising in the factory-built Druine Rollason Turbulent aircraft at Headcorn Aerodrome, near Maidstone, on Saturday afternoon when the crash happened.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is investigating but one possiblity is that the wing clipped the ground as the pilot performed a low fly-past of the aerodrome.

The aircraft, registration G-APTZ which first flew in July 1959, was shattered by the impact. The pilot was taken by Kent Air Ambulance to Maidstone Hospital and later transferred to a London hospital. He was discharged that evening.

The Druine Turbulent was designed by a French aircraft designer called Roger Druine, during the 1950's. Rollason Aircraft modified the design and produced aircraft, some for the Tiger Club which immediately started using them for formation and stunt flying because of their manoeuvrability.

Weighing 400lbs, without the pilot, the Turbulent weighs little more than a large motorbike. Each Turbulent has a unique colour scheme. The ill-fated G-APTZ was red.

Tiger Club Factfile~It was founded in 1957 and offers pilots from all over the world the opportunity to experience flying vintage aircraft as well as aerobatics, formation flying and air racing. Its aim to encourage all aspects of sport flying.

~The first Tiger Club Turbulent Team took off in August 1959 at Fairoaks Airport, near Woking, Surrey and the team has been a regular part of the display circuit ever since. ~The number of aircraft has varied from between three to nine and they have performed all over the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and Ireland.

If you've seen the Tiger Club performing let us know what you think at kentonlinenews@thekmgroup.co.uk