Duxford press release

Just thought you might all like to know:

Operation ‘Bolero’ finally completed as unique journey ends with arrival at Flying Legends air show

A remarkable story of courage and dedication is set to reach its emotional conclusion * sixty five years after it started * at Imperial War Museum Duxford on 29 June 2007 in preparation for the Flying Legends air show on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 July.

Sixty five years ago this July, six American P38 fighter planes and two B17 bombers took off from the east coast of the United States to make the long journey to Britain and so on to Germany. These aircraft made up one small part of Operation ‘Bolero’, the historically important build-up of allied aircraft in Britain championed by President Roosevelt.

Already well into their journey, the eight aircraft encountered atrocious weather conditions over Greenland and, with fuel running low, the crews had no choice but to attempt a difficult landing directly onto the snow and ice of Greenland’s glaciers. Miraculously, all 25 crew members survived the landings and, after a few cold days awaiting rescue, were returned safely back to the States, never having made it to Britain that warm and sunny summer.

Fifty years later, spurred on by stories of the legendary ‘Lost Squadron’, a group of enthusiasts located the missing aircraft, now buried over 300 feet down under rock-hard glacier ice, and vowed to recover what they could. After months of hard work, the dedication of the recovery team was rewarded as the ice reluctantly gave up a single P38, immediately christened ‘Glacier Girl’. Now fully restored to flying condition, ‘Glacier Girl’ has been hugely popular with the air show crowds in the United States.

The Fighter Collection is therefore delighted to announce that ‘Glacier Girl’ will finally be completing her original mission this month, flying nearly 5,000 miles from New Jersey to land at the Imperial War Museum Duxford on 29 June specifically to participate in the renowned Flying Legends Air Show.

This will be the only opportunity to see ‘Glacier Girl’ displaying in the UK for the foreseeable future. Jane Larcombe of The Fighter Collection, says “We always strive to bring something special to Flying Legends each year. Glacier Girl’s visit to Duxford is a real coup for The Fighter Collection and underlines the world-class calibre of the Flying Legends Air Show. Her display is definitely not to be missed.”

‘Glacier Girl’ joins an impressive line up of over 50 aircraft from both the WWI and WWII era, including nine Spitfires in the ever-magnificent Spitfire Scramble, six thundering P51s roaring over Duxford in the Mustang Stampede, the famous ‘Cat’ formation of Wildcat, Hellcat and Bearcat, a debut at Duxford for the four-ship Team Guinot display, and many other remarkable and evocative aircraft. As always, a full afternoon of flying will conclude in fitting style with the dramatic Flying Legend’s ‘Balbo’ takes to the skies for a mass formation.

Says Marketing and PR Manager at Duxford Tracey Woods “Flying Legends is the warbird show in Europe. All the aircraft due to appear are piston-engined aircraft dating mainly from the Second World War and each is a classic in its own right. A visit to Flying Legends promises to be a truly memorable day out for visitors young and old”.

The Flying Legends Air Show takes place at Imperial War Museum Duxford on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 July 2007. As well as the flying display, visitors to the air show will be able to enjoy the whole Museum including the dramatic new AirSpace exhibition hangar as it nears completion, Concorde, evocative Battle of Britain and Forgotten War exhibitions, conservation work in progress and the stunning American Air Museum.

Gates open at 8.00 am and the flying begins at 1.45 pm. Tickets: Adults £29.95, Concessions £24.95, Children £9.95, Disabled/carer £9.95. Discounted tickets are available in advance: call 01223 499 343 for more information and to purchase. Further information and participation updates available at flyduxford.org.