I am amazed no one has posted pics of this, so these from my mobile phone must suffice….
Appropriately on the evening of Armed Forces Day, 2Excel who run the Blades aerobatic team hosted a RAFA Fund Raising Dinner at Sywell.
The event also included fund-raising passenger flights in Tiger Moths (lots of prop swinging for The Blue Max and I), DH Rapides, a Harvard and Stearman, light aircraft and helicopters. There were displays by the Red Arrows, the Blades and no less than three Spitfires!
The BBMF provided the Mark XIX and Mark IX, while Cliff Spink gave a lovely display in the HAC Tr9 two seater.
We think the last time three Spitfires were parked in front of Sywell’s Hangar One, was probably during the filming of Battle of Britain!
By: low'n'slow - 28th June 2011 at 10:18
Cool or what? 😎
By: The Blue Max - 27th June 2011 at 20:49
And the morning after the night before after removing “Biggles Biplane” from being on show for the RAFA Charity Ball in “Hangar One” I could’nt resist taking these.:diablo:
By: ozplane - 27th June 2011 at 14:49
Yes it was pretty hectic wasn’t it? Thanks for your remarks on the Rapides and the photograph. I’ll pass on your comments to Barry and Steve who were flying the aircraft.
By: low'n'slow - 27th June 2011 at 14:39
I guess the last pic was the start of your formation practice Ozplane. The two Rapides looked lovely against that pink sky!
Sorry we didn’t get the chance to talk, we were right behind you, but too busy swinging propellers!
By: ozplane - 27th June 2011 at 12:45
Yes it was a lovely evening. We were very busy loading the Rapides and we managed to fly 87 guests in the time available. It was amazing how many of the very sophisticated guests had no idea that it was still possible to fly in vintage aircraft. Several commented that the Rapides looked very much part of the Art Deco ambiance of Sywell. We also had the opportunity for some close formation work on the return to Duxford which culminated in a very nice run and break in to an almost deserted and silent airfield. Grand Day out Grommit.
By: Bomberboy - 27th June 2011 at 11:41
while Cliff Spink gave a lovely display in the HAC Tr9 two seater.
and then arrived in the overhead at Duxford with the port leg somewhat ‘ajar’.
Fortunately Cliff landed it quite safely.
Bomberboy
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June 27, 2011 at 11:34 am