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 2011 - Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th September 2011

 

Saturday was a fantastic summer day and ideal weather for an air show. Duxford was celebrating the 75th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire with no less than seven Spitfires flying in formation, followed by a sequence of tail chases. Two 1sts for Duxford were displays by the RAF King Air and the Royal Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron de Havilland Vampires. Other displays were carried out by the RedHawks display team, the Curtiss P-40F Warhawk, the Curtiss P-40B and Curtiss Hawk 75A.

As a contrast Sunday’s weather was completely different. The first part of the day saw heavy rain and low cloud. The flying started with the Vampire pair followed by the RAF King Air, the T-28 Fennec's and Jonathan Whaley in the Hawker Hunter Miss Demeanour. As the afternoon progressed the weather improved but not before the F-15 had given a spectacular condensation loaded display, which was for many of the spectators the highlight of the weekend. Once again a very enjoyable weekend and certainly a profitable one for anyone selling umbrellas on Sunday.

 

Images courtesy of Bob Franklin

 

 

 

 

The Al Murray Spitfire Experience – Thursday 1st September 2011

 

To mark the forthcoming Duxford Air show weekend on the 3rd and 4th September, British comedian Al Murray better known as The Pub Landlord and also a presenter of historical documentaries visited The Imperial War Museum at Duxford. This was a special day for Duxford, not only could you hear the sound of Merlin engines above this World War II airfield (in this the 75th anniversary year of the Supermarine Spitfire) but the F1 Lotus Renault GB team were using Duxford’s runway for one of their test days.

 

 

 

 

Celebrity Al who has been a regular visitor to Duxford for many years, was about to realise a childhood dream when he was taken flying in a two-seat Spitfire by John Romain from the Aircraft Restoration Company. Later in the day Al watched a practice display by the United States Air force F-15E Strike Eagle, which will be joined by a host of other classic aircraft at the weekend.

 

Images courtesy of Chris Cannon

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Images courtesy of Ian Bracegirdle