Legends News Day #4

After all the excitement of yesterday enthusiasts can be forgiven for thinking today would have been more of the same. With blazing sun and clear skies it is somewhat surprising that activity was somewhat diminished in comparison to the previous day.

It started off in the best possible way with the focus being on The Fighter Collections P-47G Thunderbolt "Snafu/War Eagle" out on the grass for engine tests. Not long after she was taken up for a local flight and then, to the delight of photographers, put through her paces in a display over the airfield.

From there it went unusually quiet. Apart from HAC's Nimrod conducted yet more engine runs on the field there was very little Warbird action throughout the museum for several hours.

Later in the afternoon things picked up when P-40F "Lee's Hope" and the P-40B were positioned on the live side of the field. The Pearl Harbour survivor had the panels off and the engine was run and tweaked. The P-40F was taken for a flight and a display following repairs made after yesterday's shut down and jacking.

After another brief gap Spit EP120 and TF-51D Mustang "Miss Velma" were prepped for a formation practice display. During this time another Spitfire & Mustang formation called up on the radio making for some very comical communications between lead pilots and the tower. The visitors, after being told many times to not use the call sign "Mustang & Spitfire formation", turned out to be MeierMotors/Max Alpha fighter Spitfire Mk.VIII and their plainly marked TF-51D Mustang. The first arrivals in two days!

With a large number of European and UK arrivals still expected tomorrow, dubbed "Arrivals Day", could be very busy indeed!

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Legends News Day #3

The so called "media day" is usually a quiet affair with a few demonstrations, engine runs an many fluorescent jackets. Where the latter remained true the other factors usually associated with the Wednesday prior to the show were not.

Historic Aircraft Collections Hawker Nimrod stood on the flightline all day with numerous engine runs and plenty of tinkering. A question mark probably now hangs over the fighter's head as to it's availability for the show.

The Fighter Collection have been hard at work preparing this airworthy aircraft and "The Boss" Stephen Grey was certainly having fun with his toys.
After taxiing out the Corsair he reported a tech problem and returned to the parking spot. Instead he jumped in Spitfire V EP120 and took her for a spin instead! Putting a wonderful display and likewise later in TF-51D Mustang "Miss Velma". Steve Hinton later took the Mustang up and reported a leak from the radiator forcing him to return to the airfield.

One of the "stars" of this years show did it's bit for the media. The Sikorsky S.38 flying boat put in wonderfully low display and parked up in a fine photographic position by the control tower.

Later in the afternoon TFC's P-40F was put through it's paces and put in a great display. Unfortunately the fighter had to be shut down at the end of the runway owing to tech difficulties. After being towed to the hangar the fighter was put on jacks with the undercarriage retracted.

The only arrivals today were Yak-3 reproduction "White 100" and Spitfire TD248. Plenty more to come!

As the day came to a close the HAC Nimrod was still under going engine runs and ARCo Battle Of Britain Hispano Buchon was taken up for a twilight display.

Remember you can follow live updates from the airfield at www.twitter.com/aviationclassic

Legends Appetite

Just to whet your appetite for Flying Legends 2012; here is a provisional participation list. It is neither complete or confirmed and is simply from hear-say (but the TFC sources are keeping rather quiet this year!)

P-47G Thunderbolt "Snafu"
TF-51D Mustang "Miss Velma"
Sea Fury T.20
Spitfire Mk.Vb EP120
Spitfire Mk.XIV
P-40B Warhawk
P-40F Warhawk "Lee's Hope"
P-36 Hawk
Bearcat
Nimrod I

Catalina

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress "Sally B"

Swordfish
Sea Fury

Lancaster
Spitfire
Hurricane

Spitfire Mk.V
Hurricane

Spitfire Mk.IX MH434
P-51D Mustang "Ferocious Frankie"

Buchon (Me109)
Buchon (Me109)

Nimrod II
Hawker Fury

Yak Aerostars (Sunday Only)

The above list comprises of the "home teams" and regular participants of Flying Legends. It does not include any overseas or other operators other than the RNHF (who's sales team have assured me both are scheduled)

Duxford Jubilee Airshow Review

Order Of Appearance

Eurofighter Typhoon / RAF
Boeing B-17G "Sally B" / B-17 Preservation
Harvard Pair / The Fighter Collection & Aircraft Restoration Company
Westland Lynx / Royal Navy
RAF Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight - Avro Lancaster, Supermarine Spitfire & Hawker Hurricane
Grob Tutor / RAF
Hawker Trio - Nimrod (Fighter Collection), Nimrod (Historic Aircraft Collection) & Hurricane (Historic Aircraft Collection)
King Air B200 / RAF
Shorts Tucano / RAF
F-16 Fighting Falcon / Belgium Air Component
SBach Duo / Red Bull Matadors
Westland Sea King (Role Demo) / RAF
Gloster Meteor T.7 / Classic Aircraft Trust
Dragon Rapide / D & M Miller
Avro Anson / Classic Aircraft Trust
Chipmunk Pair / Aircraft Restoration Company & A Grounsell
Bucker Jungmeister / G Brander
Socata TB30 Epsilon x3 / French Air Force
BAe HAwk T.1 / RAF
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.V / The Fighter Collection
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX / Old Flying Machine Company
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXT / Air Leasing ("Grace" Spitfire)

 

Review

A powerful sun hung over the historic Duxford airfield with very little cloud to protect the spectators from it's effects. Of course in airshow terms this is perfect condition with only a slight breeze it was an ideal day for any participant.

When a show can boast the original schedule to be full and in order; you know it has been idyllic conditions. Dubbed the "Jubilee Airshow" the connections were few and far between with participation very typical of any Duxford show. Though the program and commentators alike endeavored to make Royal connections and relay some history between the aircraft present - to the pure Aviation enthusiast or Royalist it may have seemed a bit futile. Where was the bunting? Balloons? Or anything other Jubilee paraphernalia. Ah well. On with the show.

Kick-starting the show with aplomb was the RAF (a Royal connection if ever there was!) with their Eurofighter Typhoon; this year coming direct from 6 Squadron rather than a display team. With the crowd on their feet and watching in virtual silence the RAF's front-line multi-role aircraft brought the show season to DX, the virtual freedom of the display airspace used by all participants, taking advantage of the great weather.
A firm Duxford favorite is the enigmatic Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Sally B" who followed the power of Typhoon with an elegant World War Two bomber display. From front-line bomber to fighter-trainer came next with a pair of Harvards brought to the show by home-teams The Fighter Collection and The Aircraft Restoration Company.

The Royal Navy's contribution to the Jubilee event was the versatile Westland Lynx solo display. The pilot giving a crowd stopping performance of the helicopter's abilities and maneuvers.
You always know when the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight are in town when their announcement brings utter and impeccable silence to the flight line crowd. Hearing six Rolls-Royce engines prowling somewhere to the North all eyes were scanning behind to catch the first glimpse of a truly patriotic sight. Only a few performers have the permission to over-fly the crowd and once again the Lancaster, Spitfire & Hurricane of "The Few" tribute used the control tower as reference to do so. Conducting the ceremony in their usual style of solos and formation flying the trio had the crowd, once again, on their feet - leaving to a rapturous applause.

The Grob Tutor provided an interlude of the spectacular until, arguably, the sexiest sight of the afternoon was brought before the audience in the form of a Hawker trio. The avid aviation fan could be forgiven for being disappointed that today was not HAC's Hawker Fury debut, but, the sight of Hawker Nimrod I (The Fighter Collection), Hawker Nimrod II and Hawker Hurricane (both Historic Aircraft Company) should surely have appeased any sadness!

The colorful scheme of the RAF's Shorts Tucano gave more color to the event closely followed by a typically breath-taking routine from the Belgium Air Component's Lockheed Fighting Falcon F-16.

Pilot skills were demonstrated by the newly formed Red Bull Matadors of which fans of Red Bull Air Racing fans will be all too familiar. Tight formations and blood rushing maneuvers had the crowd focused on the skies. The RAF's Sea King gave a role demonstration of it's personnel rescue role. The audience scrambling to see the stranded gentleman on the airfield waiting to be airlifted to safety.

Going into the closing hour of the show transportation was on everyone's minds in the contrasting types of de Havilland Dragon Rapide and Avro Anson. The differences of shapes, size and power made for a very interesting display.

Training types followed the Anson as the Chipmunk pair took the stage to show some simple but effective formation flying - the kind of which RAF recruits would conduct 90+ hours on before moving on the their specified training program.

Breaking from the Jubilee theme, and in historical terms beating the Royals with a stick, was Bucker Jungmeister from G Brander. The German trainer was pointed out to have competed in the Berlin Olympics, however, it is unlikely to feature in London 2012!

As the trio of Spitfires fired up for what everyone knew was the finale there was a welcome 'main land' Britain show debut for the French Air Forces' Patrouille Cartouche Dore display team flying three of their Socata TB30 Epsilon advanced trainers. Showing that the French can put on a display show comparable to the likes of which the UK, Italy, USA etc. usually boast about.

 As the PCD came back in to appreciative applause the long-standing Hawk T.1 display rolled in for the usual exhilarating performance, using the open airspace to demonstrate the jet-trainer's abilities, and showing why it has been (and will be with the T.2) the RAF's first choice jet-trainer of modern times.

With that came the arrival of the shows centre piece finale; the trio of Spitfires comprising of Mk.Vb EP120 (The Fighter Collection), Mk.IX MH434 (Old Flying Machine Co.) & Mk.IXT ML407 (Air Leasing "Grace" Spitfire). There is nothing more epitomising of the British spirit than the Spitfire and they provided an apt closing to the so-called Jubilee airshow.

 

To view the full set of photos from the show please visit here: Duxford Jubilee Show 2012 Photos

Despite some signal problems our Twitter service from airfield was greatly received and many people re-tweeted our posts - a big thank you very much to everyone who did so! The service will continue (conditions and signal dependent) at the RAF Airshow at Cosford on June 17th. To view the tweets from the Jubilee show visit here: Classic Aviation Twitter

Warbirds for sale!

Following the decision to break up the Russell Aviation group Hawker Hurricane XII and, probably more excitingly, Messerschmitt Bf109E 'Emil' are currently both for sale. Both fighters would make fine additions to any Warbird collection.
Meanwhile Spitfire Mk.IX MK912 is moving back to the UK to Biggin Hill airport for a new owner as is Mk.V LZ844 and the remains of MkIV TE566 from Australia.

Line-up change for Little Gransden 2011

Hanger 11 have been forced to change their participation at Little Gransden's 2011 Charity Air & Car Show. Originally planned was the newly refurbished Spitfire Mk.XI, however operational conflicts have meant a replacement, in the form of Hawker Hurricane MkIIb "Hurri-Bomber".

PL965 back to originality

Peter Teichman's, Hanger 11 Collection, Spitfire XI has had it's original Merlin 70 that powered it during 1945. Peter's efforts in making his aircraft as close to original as possible is well documented and this addition to the Spit will be well received.

Spitfire making progress

The Shuttleworth Collections Spitfire Mk.V is making progress in it's major overhaul. The wing skins have now been fully removed and the skeletal structure is in process of being cleaned inch by inch.

Spitfire's Galore!

Recent months have seen no less than three Spitfire's enter the public eye around the world. Historic Flight Foundation's IXe SL633 flew again on October 15th with John Romain at the controls, flying out of Washington in the USA.

In New Zealand; Tr.9 MH367 returned to the skies on September 10th with Keith Skilling at the controls. It is owned by Doug Booker.

Finally in the USA the Commemorative Air Force's FR.XIV flew again on August 21st and took part in the Wings Over Camarillo Airshow 2010.

Spitfire crash

 

Biltema owned, former Fighter Collection, Spitfire FR.XVIII SM845 crashed upon landing at Tynset, Norway; killing experienced Warbird pilot Bertil Gerhardt.

Spit airbourne again

Following a landing accident in 2007 Dutch Spitfire IX MK732 returned to the air  on April 29th 2010. John Romain piloted the successful test flight. It appeared at the Battle Of Britain Airshow in September at DX.

Battle Of Britain Airshow - Duxford 2010

A sun soaked morning greeted the early birds at this year's September show; this year marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle Of Britain. Spitfires and Hurricanes were in attendance en masse in a true tribute to "The Few".
A new Me109 Buchon graced the flight line recently restored by ARCo. Another rare aircraft on the duxford apron was a Norwegian vampire with Mickey Mouse emblem. The sun beaming down made for fantastic pictures.
On the Saturday the gates were shut as the museum reached capacity and the anticipation for the show ahead could be felt all over the airfield.
A pre-show performance from the RAF Red Arrows brough the entire airfield to a stand still.
Oddly the show was opened by aircraft that have no relation to the Battle what-so-ever; TFC's Sea Fury & Bearcat. Nevertheless this was a powerful opening which lead into a well rehearsed routine by ARCo and TFC's Harvard pair. The Belgian F-16, a regular at Duxford and at other UK airshows, added a bit of power, thrust and after-burn to the display.
B-17 Sally B then opened for the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight's Lancaster, Spitfire & Hurricane as the true BoB remembrance took place. Again the airfield came to an absolute stand still as the three aircraft did their routines and fly-bys.
A tranquil break in the form of a Leopard Moth and Hornet Moth; gracefully and effortlessly doing circuits around the aerodrome display line.
ARCo's Me109 Buchon provided representation for "the enemy" followed by a quartet of Hurricanes. Peter Vacher, Hanger 11, HAC and and Shuttleworth's Sea Hurricane made up a beautiful and very rare formation. With the BBMF's Hurricane now on the ground; this left just one airworthy Hurricane in the UK not in attendance (also operated by the BBMF). This was followed by a beautiful solo display by Hanger 11's immaculate Hurri-Bomber. Gladiators took part in early exchanges with the Luftwaffe in the months leading up to the Battle Of Britain and this was represented by the Shuttleworth's example in the air and TFC's on the ground; the only two airworthy in the world!
The RAF came agin the their Eurofighter Typhoon display which was soon contrasted by the Miller family's Dragon Rapide. 19 Squadron, the Spitfire squadron based at Duxford during the battle, then did formation fly pasts in their current type Hawk T.1 and T.2's.
Jungmann and Jungmeister put on a German acrobatic display which was followed by a one minute silence in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the conflict.
Then for the finale pieces. A unique, rare and magnificant formation of no less than 16 Spitfires of various types and marks. A grand spectacle commemorating the people and machines that took part in Britain's finest hour. "The Few" were truely represented. This was followed by tail chases by the 16 Spits. A great showcase of Mitchell's machine - the sounds can only be described as truely beautiful.
The Petrouille De France closed the show with a well-polished display as light started to fade and display conditions started to deteriorate. A great show from the IWM Duxford that definately paid it's tributes to the men and women that took part, some of whom lost their lives, in the Battle Of Britain 70 years ago.

Record Cancellations - Waddo Review!

On a terrifically hot Sunday morning; you could have forgiven this aviation reporter for thinking and hoping for the best Waddington show for some years. It was not until walking along the display line that I realised this was not going to be the case.
Scrubbed from the line-up from the word go were the BBMF (and so subsequently the EuroFighter/SPitfire pair), WWI Display Team and Army Air Corps Historic Flight. Thankfully the Vulcan got all of it's certificates to display - even though it operated directly from Brize Norton instead of flying into it's "home" of Waddo. With the winds being very strong on Sunday the RAF Falcon Parachute team also, understandably, had their display cut. So with an hour slot's worth off the menu - the fear was high for a very drawn out and lack lustre show.
Somehow, probably with the aid of good weather, this was not the case and the RAF put on a creditable display - albeit with a significant amount of help from the Czech Air Force.
The Turkish Starz display team put on a wonderful display that pushes the Red Arrows for originality and excitement. The Czech SAAB Gripen was an undoubted star winning a display awar for its polished and well coreographed display. With more role demos and use of pyrotechnics than previously seen at Waddington the show definately picked itself up. The Vulcan bombing run, the Chinook RV pick-up, Harrier GR.9, 2xTornados and (of course) the Battle Of Britain display sequence made the show quite a spectacle.
The static display could be more condensed with, what seemed, fewer participants than ever - the amount of walking required was needlessly long.

Overall a good show with good weather; but it left a taste in the mouth that says "more could be done" to make this one of the biggest shows in the country.

Flying Legends Thursday

The morning started with a departure in the form DX resident Catalina. The believed destination Lake Geneva, Switzerland. 
Back in Legends action was yesterday's highlight the Polikarpov I-16 with an early practise display for display authorisation.
At just after midday the arrivals started in style. French based Fury, in Australian markings, brought yet more substance to the line-up started by TFC's Sea Fury, Bearcat and the I-16 (which made a startling contrast making the Polikarpov look very small indeed). Less than half an hour after the I-16 was completely outclassed on all sides, size wise, when French Sky Raider entered DX skies.
With a Flight Line forming a formation was heard over the radio at 1400 hours. A neat, and unusual formation of, French Corsair and German registered pair; Spitfire Mk.8 and TF-51 - the latter never before seen at Flying Legends.
Now the "fun" could begin. With the sun coming out and the winds nearly completely calm; "boss" Stephen Grey took his Bearcat to Duxford skies with the usual full power bottle display so sorely missed during the CAA complications. At 1640 the heavy metal hit the air when both Sea Fury's formated and practised a very stylish routine.
Early evening PT-22 Ryan Recruits from Old Warden added themselves to an already impressive line-up.
To complete a great day Pete Kinsey took TF-51 "Miss Velma" up for a display just after the Spit Mk.8 and ARCo's BoB Buchon had also had practise sessions.
Just before the museum closed Anna Walker turned up in her Bucker Jungmann.

Classic Aviation visits Hendon

As described by a national magazine, RAF Hendon is a must for any enthusiast. I will not waste time talking gumpf for gumpf, you should just visit yourself, you will not be disappointed. Classic Aviation visited the museum on the same day as the Queen's Birthday Flypast; which meant a "buzz" of RAF Hendon from the BBMF Hurricane and Spitfire fighter pair - bonus!
So many unique aircraft are enclosed within the walls it is an enthusiasts dream. If we were to be critical some of the exhibits, especially the Battle Of Britain hall, is in too much darkness for decent photography. The atmosphere and displays are stunning though, so we will forgive them this one point. Enjoy some of the highlights.