Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show 21st and 22nd September 2019.

 

Courtesy of Chris Cannon.

 

The last Air Show of the season at IWM Duxford, the Battle of Britain Show 2019 celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain film, which was filmed on and around Duxford.

The September show brought together many types of aircraft that would not have normally been seen flying together. Both days had the same flying programme, unfortunately Sunday's display was interrupted by bad weather, and as usual both day's shows were closed with the massive Spitfire flypast. Here we take a look at some of the aircraft taking part in another of Duxford's classic shows.

All images courtesy of Bob Franklin unless otherwise stated.

 

What better way to start the flying programme with four Buchons followed shortly by three Spitfires and four Hurricanes.

 

 

And flying in from RAF Coningsby: the Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Flight, shown here one of the flight's Spitfires.

 

Saturday saw the Airco DH9, flown by Dodge Bailey out for one of its rare appearances, this is the only airworthy aircraft of the type in the world.

 

The Furious Formation, of the Fury FB11 and a pair of Sea Fury T20s, the aircraft flew tail chases and some fast flypasts.

 

Next on was one of Duxford's resident aircraft, Sally B the B-17G Flying Fortress who was joined by the P-47D Thunderbolt.

 

Carrying on with the American theme, it was the turn of the four Mustangs, once again more tail chases and fast formation flying.

 

The Mercury Formation, consisting of a pair of Lysanders, the Blenheim and the Gladiator. All these aircraft are very rare and it is very unlikely we will see them all performing together again. In fact these aircraft are all powered by Bristol Mercury engines, and to hear the sound of five of these engines could be a first for Duxford.

 

 

 

A different pairing with the PBY Catalina and the Wildcat. This pairing of two very different types of aircraft, with the Catalina being a twin engined type well suited to its job of landing on water rescuing downed aircrew, to the Wildcat being a Carrier based fighter.

 

 

The Korean Jets, consisting of the T33 and the Mig 15 from the Norwegian Historical Squadron, recreated a Korean War dogfight with these classic Jets, which in fact were the only Jet Aircraft displaying, and due to a wet runway were not able to fly on Sunday.

 

 

Almost at the end of the show, one formation that Duxford is famous for is the Spitfires, this weekend flying in two formations. Sixteen aircraft of various marks spanning many years of the Spitfire's development took off from Duxford's two runways to thrill the waiting crowds.

 

 

Sunday was a special day as it was Air Marshall Cliff Spink's RAF (Ret) last public flight as a display pilot after many years at Duxford and also a long career in the RAF.

 

 

And what a way to finish the Battle of Britain Airshow weekend with Brian Smith displaying MH434, one of the most recognised Spitfires to operate from Duxford.

Another weekend of wonderful displays at Duxford and what a way to finish the flying season.