Duxford Autumn Show 10/10/10

Duxford's closing airshow for the 2010 season started with my arrival in pretty poor visibility, well OK thick fog!.

Thankfully this was soon burned off and the weather and light turned out to be pretty near perfect.

I was actually at Duxford to be the official photographer for the Royal Navy Black Cats Helicopter display team, this meant that I did have great flight line access to cover the Black Cats but at times as we all know light at Duxford can be a little difficult from within the field boundaries.

There are only two images from the Black Cats here as the others have been handed over for future use in publicity material for the 2011 season.

So on with the photographs.....

Army Air Corps Apache AH1

The Apache arrived from Wattisham with the visibility just about clearing, for quite sometime you could hear it out there but not see it. The black & white images give it an even more sinister apprearance.

Not often you get to see a British Army Apache at such close quarters and one giving a cool display into the bargain.

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. This was her 65th anniversary and was dully celebrated in style with several dozen re-enactors dressing up in 40's style flying clothing adding to the atmosphere.

Royal Navy Past and Present

The Royal Navy Historic Flight was represented by 2 of their aircraft, The Swordfish and the Sea Hawk. Considering the distance from their home base to Duxford it was good to see both in the Autumnal light.

Also present was WG655 a former aircraft of the RNHF which suffered an engine failure back in 1990 and it was thought she would never fly again, thankfully the hulk was bought by an American enthusiast and over the next 15 years bought back to flying condition. Returning to the UK in 2009.

As already mentioned the Black Cats Display Team was my main reason for attending the show and most of the images have gone to the RN for future publication.

RAF MODERN

Dakota's

War Birds

F-86A Sabre 48-178

Once again the Sabre performed beautifully in the Autumnal light, hopefully this aircraft will stay in this country for many years to come however.....

Thanks for taking the time to view the images and reading my report.