Spitfires @ Duxford – 28Jul13

There were a couple of static Merlin engines doing ground runs and lots of Motors parked up by the Land Warfare Hall for the ‘Spitfires Merlins & Motors’ event but I stuck with the Spitfires. I had intended going to Old Warden for their show but with the blustery wind that was blowing I doubted whether much of the Shuttleworth home fleet would be flying so I took the cheaper option and went to Duxford instead. It was a well attended event by the public with a bit more Spitfire flying than last year. During the morning, Stu Goldspink did a test flight and some aerobatics in the TFC Mk XIV, the ARCo T9 and OFMC Mk IX had a trip down to Silverstone before returning. There were 3 flying slots at 2.10pm, 2.55pm and 3.40pm. The Grace Spitfire was first up followed later by the OFMC Mk V and last up was the TFC Mk XIV with Stu Goldspink giving what looked like a slightly shortened display that he did in the P-47 on Friday. Between the last two flights, Charlie Brown took the HAC Spitfire up for some aerobatics for a bit of filming that was taking place. With the blustery wind blowing clouds in all the time, and the bit of rain we had mid afternoon, lighting conditions changed constantly providing a bit of a challenge photography wise.

Brian