For those who don’t already know, the Blackdown Hills in Somerset are steeped in WWII aviation history. Airfields such as Culmhead (Spitfires and Seafires), Upottery (C-47s – made famous as the departure point for the US 101st Airborne Division in “Band of Brothers”) played a vital part in the run up to and execution of D-Day.
One other is Dunkeswell, and yesterday saw the first “DevonAir” Airshow. Indications that this might be more than the expected Fly-In type show came with the arrival on Catalina G-PBYA from Duxford. Indeed this “little” airshow had the makings of being a bit of a gem! Peter Vacher’s absolutely stunning Hurricane I R4118 turned up and gave a very gentile display, whilst the “Percival Combine” (not the usual sort of Combine they are used to in these ‘ere parts!) was another nice touch.
Unfortunately the change in runway to the much shorter R/w 35 meant that the Sea Fury couldn’t land as planned, but it made the short hop from Yeovilton to display as listed and Air Atlantique stepped into the breach when the hoped-for DC-3 went sick, supplying their own Transport Command-schemed aircraft instead.
A few minor niggles on layout of the event (and indeed it was a shame about the strong wind that persisted throughout the day), but for a first attempt this was a thoroughly enjoyable day out. I even got one of my Fury shots in the programme! 😀 Even better was the lack of ANY traffic queue either in or out! That’s how airshows SHOULD be!!
Some pics:
By: ALBERT ROSS - 16th August 2006 at 07:52
Blimey Lee, it was only a few years ago you were asking me advice about photography! Looks like you no longer need it – great shots!
By: Lee Howard - 15th August 2006 at 08:40
A few more….
By: SEMAE - 14th August 2006 at 19:34
Very nice pics Lea. This airshow of course was meant to be a one off. If there is any inclination to make it a yearly event, I certainly would have liked a bigger croud on the day. It was a very nice show and it would be great if it takes place again next year.
By: Yak 11 Fan - 14th August 2006 at 14:25
[QUOTE=mossie girl]the pilots made a big effort to get here thorugh some appalling weather at their home bases and en route.
[QUOTE]
Certainly wasn’t nice in places on the way down, slightly better on the way back but no decent weather until we got to Cambridge.
By: mossie girl - 14th August 2006 at 14:07
There was a walkway round to the display plane parking, GA and military vehicles, but obviously this needs to be better publicised at a future show. Shame you did not make it round there as although the planes were tail on to the viewing area, they were well spread out for photography.the pilots made a big effort to get here thorugh some appalling weather at their home bases and en route.
Hope it does get repeated as there is very little in the area for air minded people.
By: T6flyer - 14th August 2006 at 13:22
Very nice photos indeed.
I havent been to an airshow for years, but yesterday thoroughly enjoyed the display, although it was a little on the cold side. At one time had to sit in the plane just to keep warm!!
Martin
By: Lee Howard - 14th August 2006 at 12:51
Yes, that was a pain. I’m still not too sure whether there was a crossing point to enable those in one half of the field to get across to the static park area. When I arrived at 10am I ended up in the northern bit and realised the aircraft were in the southern part. One of the stewards advised me to drive out of the gate and over to the far side as, in his opinion, there wasn’t any such crossing available for pedestrians. If that was the case then it was a shame (there wasn’t any PA system in the static park area either – good in some ways, but would have been nice to have heard what was going on). If, on the other hand, there was a crossing then it would indeed have been a long way around!
All in all, for a first attempt I thought it was very commendable – especially the roll call of aircraft types and examples that they managed to gather together. Would put some bigger-named shows to shame! Here’s looking forward to more shows here!
By: Yak 11 Fan - 14th August 2006 at 12:36
Great photo’s Lee, shame that the display aircraft parking was so far away from the display line but a very nice selection of aircraft.
Great to see the Sea Fury too, not seen one display since the early/mid 90’s.
By: neal h - 14th August 2006 at 11:28
Nice pics, looked like a good little show.
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August 14, 2006 at 7:26 am