The earth embankment on the southern boundary of Duxford has been excavated and removed.
For many years, the elicit destination of photographers, free-loaders and locals having an afternoon out, it offered the most intense, spectacular view of ( perhaps ) the world’s greatest air display, the light just perfect, and aeroplanes scorching past so close you could smell the exhaust, and feel the slipstream. No time to worry about getting sand blasted by grit on windy days, or the stink of fifty tons of rotting onions!
For the photographers who ventured out there, it was a bit of a dirty secret, and invited accusations of depriving the event of revenue, though infact many ( even most) did also support the venue by paying on alternate dates.
It WAS antisocial though, for the mound was right under the display line, and you would look straight up the nose of fighters pulling out of loops. One misjudgement could have led to 20 or more fatalities and finished Duxford displays for good. Shoreham brought that vague possibility into terrifying reality . The P38 crash 2 decades before was a pretty vivid illustration how far, and how fast debris can travel, but there was probably a (not a pun) ‘lightning doesn’t strike twice’ mentality.
It is fair to say that the people out there dodged a bullet, but it had to be stopped.
R.I.P The Mound. So bad, but so good…
By: HP81 - 15th April 2017 at 22:39
I went there twice and got some nice photo’s. But feeling the rush of air as a diving Spitfire passed over my head actually frightened me! I know, what a wimp!
By: Bob - 15th April 2017 at 15:16
From FAQs…
Can I bring a windbreak, tent or stepladder?
You will not be allowed to set up windbreaks or tents next to the display barrier as they can spoil the view for other visitors. Please place them behind the white line on the grass area. If you need help or advice on where they should be placed please ask a member of staff. We will have to remove windbreaks and tents placed against or close to the display barrier.
Please don’t bring stepladders as these can’t be used anywhere on site. We will remove any stepladders that are brought to the air show.
By: j_jza80 - 15th April 2017 at 14:50
The mound was a mixed blessing. Unfortunately its loss probably means that the crowd line at Duxford will host more of the step ladder and wind breaker brigade. 🙁
By: AlanR - 15th April 2017 at 12:38
…….. but I had no problem with those on that side, be it locals, passer-byes, or photographers…it was just a personnel choice.
regards,
jack…
Me neither. It must have been marvellous to have been able to take photos of the aircraft without looking into the sun.
By: Propstrike - 15th April 2017 at 10:48
.
By: Propstrike - 15th April 2017 at 10:44
Yes, probably.
By: jack windsor - 15th April 2017 at 10:40
At the risk of bringing the wrath of the experts etc on here, I cannot honestly understand the vehement reaction to people using the now extinct mound. I have never been round that side but on viewing photo’s taken there, I wish I had, I’ve paid to get in because I wanted to get close to the aircraft, smell them, wander the museum etc. but I had no problem with those on that side, be it locals, passer-byes, or photographers…it was just a personnel choice.
regards,
jack…
this post may contain grammatical errors…
By: Seafuryfan - 15th April 2017 at 10:07
So out there…somewhere….are thousands of beautiful photos that will remain private, less the publishers risk the condemnation by some might who view them. Or, they may be private people, period. And in, say, 30 or so years, a relative will find an old storage medium in the loft, not recognise it for what it is, and turf it out.
By: WZ862 - 15th April 2017 at 08:35
A spokesman for Geology Today said that they found plenty of old fossils on the mound.
By: Propstrike - 14th April 2017 at 17:46
High enough that it had a base camp…
Ahem;….. Some of the bad people who went there told me it was about as high as a grandstand, and gave a fantastic panoramic view.
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg512/linda2075/field_zpse0e32333.jpg
This photo (above) does not really do it justice, but I guess life is like that!
By: Bob - 14th April 2017 at 17:35
High enough that it had a base camp…
By: hampden98 - 14th April 2017 at 17:31
So how high was this `mound` ?
Can’t you just stand on the flat bit?
By: Meddle - 14th April 2017 at 16:54
It WAS antisocial though…
The whole hobby is antisocial. Lets not get too picky!
By: Napper Bantock - 14th April 2017 at 12:58
What did they do with the crated Spitfires they found?
By: scotavia - 14th April 2017 at 10:58
” A spokesman for a Time Team special said there was evidence of ritual activity with the earliest layers revealing discarded empty plastic film containers ….”
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April 14, 2017 at 10:31 am