This set is perhaps more routine than my previous sets. It is from Horse Guards Parade, London in September 1968. A display of smaller aircraft types was put on to illustrate the RAF’s first 50 years. I got there fairly early one morning and enjoyed the benefit of there being hardly anyone about. I don’t have a complete record of all the aircraft on display, there seems to be an unashamed bias in my selection to WWII and jets.
There is a bit of a “where are they now” theme, although in most cases the answer is fairly easy to discover. There are some unusual aspects worth noting: The P1B belly tank was clearly marked with a different serial to the main aircraft, the Beaufighter supposedly had no engines at the time (if the serial is correct), the Mosquito was said to be literally falling apart from glue failure, and the Hunter later got converted to a two-seater.
Spitfire I K9942
Lysander R9125
Beaufighter X RD867
Mosquito 35 TA639
Tempest V NV778
Meteor F.4 EE549
Hunter F.4 WV398
P1B XG326
By: paul178 - 1st July 2012 at 23:21
I miss events like the Royal Tournament
Me to, This is the best bit for me. My Grandfather was in the RA and fought through the Great War with these things.
By: SADSACK - 1st July 2012 at 22:02
re;
I miss events like the Royal Tournament
By: Arabella-Cox - 1st July 2012 at 14:57
Can’t imagine this kind of display ever happening again, except for perhaps for an odd cockpit and perhaps a plastic replica. It must have been quite an exercise to get everything there and assembled. Thanks for sharing the pics.
By: RMR - 1st July 2012 at 13:19
There is a bit of a “where are they now” theme, although in most cases the answer is fairly easy to discover.
Spitfire I K9942 displayed Cosford
Lysander R9125 displayed Hendon
Beaufighter X RD867 to Canada 1968 (or at least bits of it)
Mosquito 35 TA639 displayed Cosford
Tempest V NV778 displayed Hendon
Meteor F.4 EE549 displayed Tangmere
Hunter F.4 WV398 to Swiss AF J-4203 Preserved airworthy Payerne
P1B XG326 scrapped Foulness c.71
RMR
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July 1, 2012 at 12:42 pm