Biggin Hill Festival of Flight 2017

That is a superb display

It was indeed an excellent display by Dan Griffith in TA805 on the Sunday, including the lovely topside pass arrival from the North. Reminded me of another display by him during the Musical Tribute to the Few at Biggin Hill where he flew a similar tight display in the sky behind the stage, which was in front of the E pens on the East side of the airfield.

Jerusalem didn’t last for the whole display and I think it seemed louder on the main part of the display line, it was certainly less intrusive on the Merlin sound where I was near the Tucano’s.

Regards,

Dan

If you search on YouTube for ‘Flying Legends 2013’ there are a number of highlights clips, as well as the ones below that feature the Stephen Grey Bearcat display alone – the second link was posted by Stephen Grey himself and is 10 minutes of in cockpit footage presumably of that final Duxford display? I have film of the display with the Pink Floyd soundtrack, but its from an old DV camera and fairly shaky. If the links don’t whet your appetite enough let me know and I’ll post the footage I have to YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve_3p70SBzs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8JdooVEYhw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npvtcaN5t0o

Steve.

It was the custom to raid the next community and take slaves but that doesn’t make it a good idea. It was extremely unpopular with spectators where I was.

I was there that day and on theexit of a loop he stared right at me with that spit nose oin a good 35 degree dive. Awesome.

It was a custom to fly the Spitfire finale to the song ‘Jerusalem’ at Biggin Hill Air Fair’s in the past and the tradition is now being flown at the Festival of Flight event.

It was an excellent show but all around where I was standing during the solo spitfire finale was anger and frustration. What idiot decided that a field full of aviation enthusiasts would prefer to hear piped music instead of a merlin?

(Somewhat closer) Manston footage here:

https://youtu.be/tTZAfXta7ww

I will travel specifically to see a Dan Griffith Spitfire routine. Does anyone know which events he is more likely to be seen at, in particular ‘garden fete’ type activities (If that heady mix is still permitted)? Ideally suited to Sussex/Kent area I guess.

Yes, a brilliant display indeed. In similar vein, does anyone have a video of Stephen Grey’s farewell performance in the Bearcat at Duxford, to the strains of Pink Floyd’s ‘Shine on You Crazy Diamond’?

Cheers

Paul

Oh yes! And not only him….

Remember the days of Ray diving into the valley !!!!

From this and the other footage I saw on YouTube, this was another cracking display from Dan Griffith, and I concur it was very ‘Hannaesque’.

As with Ray and Mark, he shows of the Spitfires outstanding turning ability, as well as its excellent performance.

A great tribute to them both, and of course R.J Mitchell, Joe Smith, and all the other talented people who worked on the design, and took the development of it through till the end.

A big thanks to them all!

Cheers

Paul

How encouraging to hear such positive reports.

Just last year, it seemed that the whole airshow scene was wobbling on the edge of extinction, but thankfully we seem to be seeing a new confidence and energy.

Dan performed what seemed the same display at Manston to that of Biggin. Everyting was within a TV screen in front of you, he rolled and pulled so tightly you thought the elevators and ailerons were going to break and then you remembered this is what it was built for and how it should be flow rather than a sedate fly past. This was flying a spit at its best and certainly challenged the great man. Rays’ was different however, he flew the spit in a graceful manner going to the extremes using the energy he had with loops and rolls. They were different displays of airmanship but I think this is the closest you will get to seeing spitfire flying at its best. Well done Dan and a great end to the show on sunday and i know you had a lot of fun in the pit.

Thanks TA – superlative display. Dan Griffiths, if indeed it was him, gave a stunning display in the Spirit of Kent at Manston a few years ago.

Thank you for the reply, The Bump, I appreciate the information. Cheers

We enjoyed the flying, but the static parking was scattered. The Reds were parked in the far side corner again. I remember the last ‘full’ airshow in 2010 they were lined up on the short runway so every body could see the start up. That runway was kept clear even though the biz jets were using their apron. The two Spitfires and the Hurricane were parked nearly with the biz jets. Oh well the flying was good.
mmitch.

What a wonderful bit of flying,high energy good turns felt totally comfortable.

Thanks for posting that was a superb solo display