The Duxford Air show
Hispano Aviación HA-1112-M1L Buchon 223 G-BWUE (Ex C.4K-102 of the Spanish Air Force) at The Duxford Air show 2009. Photo by Ross Cannon
The Duxford Air show is held every year in early September with a display of historic and modern Aircraft, probably the last time you will get to see these Aircraft until next year. There are the usual opportunities to browse around the stalls selling a variety of Aviation Art and other interesting items, and of course visit the Museum's Hangars before the flying starts.
For the Duxford Imperial War museum section
Duxford Imperial War Museum Website
The Duxford Air show 2009 - Sunday 6th September 2009
Sunday started off cloudy with light winds which improved as the crowd started to grow. You could hear the whine of the Orpheus Jet engines as the Gnats taxied for take off. A KC-135 with the refueling probe deployed did a couple of passes. The Gnats got airborne and proceeded to do a well synchronized display. Two unusual visitors to Duxford were the Percival Mew Gull and the Hawk Speed Six. Both these Aircraft were designed for Air racing.
An entourage of the Bucker Jungmann, Yak 18, Moravan Zlin and Pitts Special slowly taxied along the crowd line. The 9 times British Aerobatic champion Mark Jefferies of Little Gransden was flying the Yak 18. The Bucker Jungmann, the Luftwaffe's primary trainer gave an impressive performance. The Pitts Special also did a solo performance.
The BBMF's Spitfire PM631 and Hurricane PZ865 started their taxi run as Lancaster PA474 over flew them. As the Battle of Britain Flight started their display cheers and clapping were heard from the crowd as Sally B's engine started. The flamboyantly painted Hunter (Miss Demeanour) took off, closely followed by Hurricane Z5140 and the Hawker Demon. The Hunter landed with the brake shute out after a stunning display.
You could hear the sound of vintage engines filling the air from the Hurricane and Hawker Demon. Other Aircraft to display were the Douglas A-1 Skyraider, The Royal Air Force Hawk and the Harvard. Sally B took to the skies looking majestic as usual. A refreshing change at Duxford was the Aerostars flying Yak 52's, the Pilots putting the Aircraft through a sequence of interesting manoeuvres. Later in the afternoon the colourful Hunter and Sabre gave an ear-rattling display.
Images courtesy of Ross Cannon
Spitfire MH434 and Mustang (Ferocious Frankie) took to the sky as Sally B came into land. For the finale of the Duxford Air show 2009 four Spitfires, BM597, TD248, PV202 and ML407 gave a brilliant WWII type dog fight following the Messerschmitt Bouchon 109. This beautifully painted machine is actually a Spanish built Hispano Aviacion rebuilt to represent a Bf 109 G-6.
The Duxford Air show 2009 - Sunday 6th September 2009 - Gallery 2
Images courtesy of Ian Bracegirdle