Duxford Airshow - September 2011
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September's Duxford Air Show celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Spitfire, which first flew on 5 March 1936. The first Spitfires to enter RAF service, did so at Duxford, with19 Squadron.

On static display was a Spitfire Mk.1A. It has flown already, but has not been cleared for displays yet. The Mk.I is beautifully restored, and when it is scheduled to fly in a display, it will surely draw crowds. There were several other marks of Spitfire represented. Mk.5s with elliptical and clipped wings, Mk.IXs, Mk.Tr9s, and Mk.XIV. Ten Spitfires in all.

We live in a greedy age of, 'I want it all, and I want it now'. Some people actually grumble, and moan about the number of a type being present. Pity the aviation fan who loses the capacity to be thrilled by these historic aeroplanes, unless present in 'record breaking' numbers.

Other fighter aircraft of WWII were also represented. The Spitfire's partner-in-arms the Hurricane displayed. Duxford's resident Mk.XII of the Historic Aircraft Collection and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Mk.II, which did opposition passes with the Spitfire, Red Arrows style. The BBMF's Spitfire Mk.LFIX stood out in its silver finish. The mighty Lancaster turned heads as usual. It stayed at Duxford over the weekend so we could all get a close-up look at it.

'Ferocious Frankie', The Old Flying Machine Company's P-51D Mustang, along with The Fighter Collections trio of Curtiss fighters and B-17 'Sally B' represented the USAAF. The Curtiss aircraft make quite a trio. TFC's Hawk 75 is the only one of its type still flying; the P-40B is a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbour that finally brought the USA into WWII; and the P-40F Warhawk, is a Merlin powered version. Sally B is the only B-17 Flying Fortress still flying in Europe. Her France based 'sister' has been grounded because of the expense involved; the entire 'Sally B' crew, do a grand job in keeping her flying.

The enemy, of 1939 − 1945, was represented by a Hispano HA-1112MIL Buchon, the Spanish built Messerschmitt Bf-109. Operated by the Aircraft Restoration Company, it is painted in the colours and markings used in the making of the 1960s film, 'Battle of Britain'. From the leading edge forward, it looks a little strange, as Merlin engines were used by the Spanish, instead of the Daimler Benz used by the Luftwaffe.

The 1930s were brought to life by the Hawker fighters parked in a row. The now familiar Nimrods I and II of the TFC and HAC, have been joined by a Hawker Fury, on static display for the time being. Another bi-plane of the 1930s, that never-the-less served through WWII, was the Fairey Swordfish of the Royal Navy Historic Flight.

As the Second world War drew to a close, jets entered the RAF. From the Norwegian Historical Flight came two de Havilland Vampires that gave a graceful display. A type that first flew in 1943 and entered service in 1945. The early, low powered jets, led to the Hawker Hunter and the F-86 Sabre. Of the two famous types, the Hunter was present at this display. 'Miss Demeanour', in its civilian paint scheme, gave a spirited display, with water vapour bursting off of its wings in the damp conditions on the Sunday.

Jets still in service, displayed also. The French Air Force Alpha Jet flew as I was heading to my photo-spot, and I didn't get a single photograph! Oh woe is me! If I didn't photograph it, did it really happen?

From the less than 4,000 lb. of thrust produced by the Vampire's Goblin engine, to the almost 30,000 lb. thrust produced by the F-15E Strike Eagle's engine, is quite a leap. The Vampires were graceful, the F-15 was ripping its way around the sky in a spectacular fashion. On Sunday, the F-15E displayed just after rain. The moisture exploded off of its wings at every turn in its low level display. Ear plugs were called for and used; it is difficult to take photographs with fingers in ears.

Post war piston engined aircraft were represented by two T-28 Fennecs. An aeroplane that replaced the T.6 Texan / Harvard in the training role, but went on to a combat career as a ground attack aircraft.

There were helicopters also. An RAF Sea King that 'rescued' an emergency case from the middle of the airfield by winch. An Army Air Corps Apache flinging its insect like, sci-fi shape around the sky. Also a Westland Wasp on static display this time, but a sprightly performer when displayed.

There was a Piper J3 Cub of O'Brien's Flying Circus; two Fournier RF4 motor gliders giving a low powered but fully aerobatic display; Kit built, Silence Twisters of the SWIP Team; the always impressive Aerostars with their Yak-50s displayed, in sun on Saturday and rain on Sunday.

Although not part of the air show, Classic Wings run pleasure flights before and after the show. Their Tiger Moths, Harvard and Dragon Rapide are an added bonus for aviation fans.

I will be flying in to the UK again for the Autumn Air Show, 16 October 2011.
See you there.
Blue skies, Leslie Q.

Copyright Leslie Quagraine 2011

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