Duxford Spitfire Show

As I understand it, all of the Merlins that the BBMF use are compatible with the Lanc engines, simply so they don’t have to keep several different types around.

I’ve been told that the Spit IX is considered underpowered by the pilots, so perhaps if it’s the least favourite aircraft, that’s why the engine gets borrowed.

The Hurricane filled in for the Mk. IX spit that had donated its engine to PA474.

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Any more info on this?

Re the Battle of Britain sixtieth, and numbers of Spitfires / Hurricanes airborne, I’ve done a mental tally of how many were up at that time. I seem to recall we had the BBMF five ship displaying in front of the crowd while the Big Wing formed up to the north (led by Rod Dean I think?). The Big Wing comprised two ‘Squadrons’, each consisting of three ‘Flights’ of three.

So nine per ‘Squadron’, plus Rod Dean leading, therefore a total of 19 in the Wing, plus BBMF’s five which were still airborne, gives a total of 24 Spitfires / Hurricanes airborne over Cambridgeshire at that moment in time.

Of course, if anyone knows any different, please do correct me, because I’m just going by what’s locked away in the old grey matter… 😉

It sounds right to me all i know is at the time numbers seemed not to matter it was something hugely special.
I do remember the BBMF with Me109 Black 2 and Black 6 I remember running to see Mark Hanna taxi Black 2 in,i not got any flying photos sadly.

The 16 ship referred to was on Sunday 3 May 1998. It consisted of 4 x “Box 4s” that closed up into a diamond 16 formation. BBMF formed the rear box and so most definitely were in close formation with the privately owned aircraft. Due to poor weather, not all of the aircraft had made it to Duxford in time for the Saturday display. Therefore, on the 2nd it was flown as 3 x “Box 4s” with the 13th aircraft acting as “whip” and in flight spare to fill in any empty slot as required. However, the spare was not permitted to fly in the BBMF box (which was the left section as the above photographs show). As it turned out, all aircraft flew so the whip/spare flew the lead position of the “rear box”. I believe that the 16 ship on the Sunday was probably the largest single element close formation of Spitfires that has been flown in recent years, as opposed to larger numbers of aircraft airborne but in more widely spaced elements.

Out of interest, at the Duxford display on 10 July 1988 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Spitfire entering service, I recall that 16 different Spitfires flew but not at the same time.

As for BBMF and close formation with private aircraft, anyone remember the displays at North Weald on 13 and 14 May 1995 when the BBMF Lanc, one of their Spitfires and one of their Hurricanes flew a close formation flypast with Bf109s “Black 6” and “Black 10”? Anyone any pictures? Happy memories.

[QUOTE=proplover]Largest recent formation was Duxford Sept 2000, 21 Spits on the Sat – Dutch Spit arrived late and missed the (extensive) briefing so wasn’t allowed up and on Sun it was 21 as now the Dutch Spit was allowed up but one of the BBMF pilots was “unwell” so didnt fly. (BBMF had all 5 Spits at the event)

By some strange coincidence Discovery Wings showed this display last weekend.

No them it will be repeated shortly.

Septic.

I don’t know what all the fuss is about – they all look the same to me!!! 😀 😀 😀

Mark 12 cover your eyes 😀

Mike I hope you have spotted the one at the rear is a Hurri! Other than that yes they are all the same, a mk 9 elliptical wing, mk 9 clipped wing, two mk 19’s, Mk 8, Mk 14………………………….

Photo comp me thinks.

see other thread 🙂

It’s been stated on this forum by someone who should know 😉 that the BBMF are able to fly in formation with anyone – they just require a “face to face” briefing beforehand.

how were the BBMF allowed to Fly with the two twin seat spits at Fairford then?

The trailing three a/c in this formation are BBMF.

Additional photos as requested posted on new thread due to diversity from original topic. ie some spits but many others.

Largest recent formation was Duxford Sept 2000, 21 Spits on the Sat – Dutch Spit arrived late and missed the (extensive) briefing so wasn’t allowed up and on Sun it was 21 as now the Dutch Spit was allowed up but one of the BBMF pilots was “unwell” so didnt fly. (BBMF had all 5 Spits at the event)
The BBMF were not allowed to fly in formation with privately owned aircraft so whilst they did a formation routine the rest all formed up and then the BBMF tagged on at the rear (at a discrete distance!) to form the rear section.
It could of been more as a couple didnt turn up and a couple more were not airworthy.
There were 3 hurricanes at the event, its a pity that the BBMF ran out of pilots as their two were left back at base otherwise it would of been a recent record turnout for Hurri’s as well.

how were the BBMF allowed to Fly with the two twin seat spits at Fairford then?

Largest recent formation was Duxford Sept 2000, 21 Spits on the Sat – Dutch Spit arrived late and missed the (extensive) briefing so wasn’t allowed up and on Sun it was 21 as now the Dutch Spit was allowed up but one of the BBMF pilots was “unwell” so didnt fly. (BBMF had all 5 Spits at the event)
The BBMF were not allowed to fly in formation with privately owned aircraft so whilst they did a formation routine the rest all formed up and then the BBMF tagged on at the rear (at a discrete distance!) to form the rear section.
It could of been more as a couple didnt turn up and a couple more were not airworthy.
There were 3 hurricanes at the event, its a pity that the BBMF ran out of pilots as their two were left back at base otherwise it would of been a recent record turnout for Hurri’s as well.

My recollection was that on the Sunday of the 60th anniversary show, there were 16 (4 boxes of 4) in the “Duxford Big Wing” which came from behind the crowd and 4 of the BBMF Spitfires displaying in front of the crowd. One of the BBMF Spitfires (or it’s pilot) were unwell on the Sunday, otherwise it would have been 21 airbourne.

Re the Battle of Britain sixtieth, and numbers of Spitfires / Hurricanes airborne, I’ve done a mental tally of how many were up at that time. I seem to recall we had the BBMF five ship displaying in front of the crowd while the Big Wing formed up to the north (led by Rod Dean I think?). The Big Wing comprised two ‘Squadrons’, each consisting of three ‘Flights’ of three.

So nine per ‘Squadron’, plus Rod Dean leading, therefore a total of 19 in the Wing, plus BBMF’s five which were still airborne, gives a total of 24 Spitfires / Hurricanes airborne over Cambridgeshire at that moment in time.

Of course, if anyone knows any different, please do correct me, because I’m just going by what’s locked away in the old grey matter… 😉

Guess there’s been a few Spitfire Shows at DX then! first one I recall was in 1996, didn’t get in to that one! drove down from S. Yorks, arrived about 9AM and then sat in traffic for the next 3 hrs, watched the show from the road.

Always best to ignore the signed way in from the north, leave the M11 the junction before Duxford, and sneak in via the back roads – I drove straight in at about 10am using that trick that day (but was then stranded for over 3 hours by the Officer’s Mess trying to leave, as the decision had clearly been taken to empty the airfield first – can’t win them all!)

Who cares, I certainly don’t and I’m sure others will tell you the same. Get posting matey we’re waiting with baited breath, well I am anyway.

If I get chance can post a few pics. Which do you prefer formation or individual?

Either/or?? 😀

Golden Jubilee Spitfire show was held at DX in 1986. A further show in ’88 featured many Spits.

Southamton 2000 Seawings. fabulous airshow with 13 Spit formation plus one hurri, followed by all a/c in tailk chase including BBMF’s Mk IX MK356. Twas my son’s first airshow at the ripe old age of 6 weeks.

If I get chance can post a few pics. Which do you prefer formation or individual?

There was a show, about 3 years ago, that included a flypast by the ‘Duxford Big Wing’, from behind the crowd (for which special dispensation was obtained from the CAA), comprising Spitfires and Hurricanes. I believe that the numbers involved exceded those of the Spitfire Show a couple of years previously, but am not sure of the exact number.

Was this not the show to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 2000, or am I confusing it with another?

Guess there’s been a few Spitfire Shows at DX then! first one I recall was in 1996, didn’t get in to that one! drove down from S. Yorks, arrived about 9AM and then sat in traffic for the next 3 hrs, watched the show from the road.

The photos I posted above were from the 1998 show in May. It commemorating the entry into service of the Spitfire, the first squadron of which was of course based at Duxford.

should read G-BKMI

Banged to rights, my only defence being that I…

Nope, no credible defence available, sorry…

Personally, I’d say 21 Spitfires, as ‘K5054’ is an oversized Airfix kit, rather than a Spitfire! :p

No arguement there but in its defence, at least it looks the part 🙂

Tony