Duxford Spring Show 2010
Duxford's opener for the 2010 season started the IWM events commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain which will run throughout 2010.
On Saturday 15th, The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft had center stage, with visitors being able to meet the pilots, unfortunately circumstances prevented Macks Aviation attending this part of the event.
On Sunday 16th May the aerial action was scheduled to take place with a mixture of past and present aircraft. Iceland's volcano seemed to have other ideas and at one point it looked as if all aircraft would be grounded !! The RAF Hawk display was grounded but then allowed to display. 2 major items were cancelled however those being the BBMF Lancaster and the Typhoon. Everything else was thankfully displayed as scheduled.
The weather forecast was not great and early indications looked like the weathermen had it right, gladly the skies began to break and whilst not perfect blue skies the clouds did provide some interesting contrasts with sun light aircraft.
Instead of remaining within the airfield boundaries and taking up a position on the popular "Tank Bank" I decided after a stroll on site that a position outside would provide some different aspects and opportunities for photography.
So on with the photographs.....
Spitfires & Hurricanes
There were actually 4 hurricanes on the ground but one of the BBMF examples went u/s but the sight of 3 in formation was nearly as good. The BBMF's beautiful Spitfire MK356 looked and sounded wonderful against the cloudy skies.
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B-17 Flying Fortress 'Sally B'
The last remaining airworthy B-17 in Europe once again put on a spirited display long may we continue to see her grace the skies.
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BBMF Dakota
The BBMF Lancaster became a victim of a combination of the volcanic ash and a crosswind at Coningsby, so the Dakota took to the air to perform a display.
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Shuttleworth Collection SE.5a & Bristol F.2B
Luckily for us the winds at Duxford remained low enough for these two beauties to put on a display that is a wondrous sight considering just how old these airframes are.
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Hawker Nimrod II
A beautifully restored inter-war years Nimrod still flying sadly only two jet powered Nimrods remain airworthy in RAF service until the MR4A enters service. Again a spirited display from this verteran is some challenging winds.
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Hawker Sea Fury T.20S
What a noise the Sea Fury produces, when on the ground she looks a little ungainly in my eyes being ALL propellor but in the air the combination of her graceful lines and all that power produces a lovely display.
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P-51D Mustang
What more can be said about the P-51, which ever example takes to the skys in the UK its a joy to watch.
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The Provosts
A new formation for me this being the Piston Provost and the Jet Provost.
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Miss Demeanour
Well she is a bit like Marmite, you either love her or hate her, I am most definately in the Love Her camp, I honestly think she is one of the best displayed historic jets on the curcuit. The pilot Jonathon "Flapjack" Whaley is totally at one with this aircraft and he displays her in a manner that is simply stunning.
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RAF Hawk Display
As mentioned earlier the RAF Display Hawk had been grounded by the powers that be due to the Volcanic ash cloud, thankfully for those at Duxford she did display and what a cracking display it was.
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Sea King HAR3a
And finally for me is the RAF Search and Rescue Sea King, there were a couple more display items however the weather turned and I ran for the hills.
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Thanks for taking the time to view the images and reading my report.