I was there that day and remember it well. Back then Duxford used to be closed to the public during the winter but they opened early specially for the B-29’s arrival. I can’t remember how I got to hear about it – no internet then!

I took loads of photos, but they’re all slides, stored away somewhere, and I don’t have slide scanner yet. I just hope they’ve survived the past 25 years without ageing as much as I have!

First time posting from a long-time lurker!

My first visit to Old Warden would have been in 1968 or ’69. Prior to that my parents didn’t have a car so even though I’d read about the Collection it was out of the question. I remember that once they got the car we used to go out most weekends, so I probably managed to talk them into a visit sooner rather than later!

I have to admit that my memories of that first visit are hazy, but I do recall the Spitfire and Sea Hurricane looking forlorn outside. Wasn’t there also an Anson – or am I thinking of the one at Southend? I recall there was a very battered section of a rocket (Blue Streak??) sitting outside one of the hangers, but it seemed to be doubling as a rubbish bin!

Anyway, Old Warden worked its magic and became a regular venue for outings. I can remember seeing a Meteor and a Bristol Sycamore at a show in the early ’70s. I’ll have to dig out the old home movies and see whether I can idenify any of the tiny dots!

As my brother and I grew up and left home, my parents stopped going, but I kept the faith and have been attending shows ever since. My wife was also regularly taken to Old Warden as a child, and both of our children made their first visits as babies. (Our son woke up in the middle of a BAE Hawk display with a very baffled look on his face, but our daughter managed to sleep right through a Harrier display!) Before she passed away a few years ago I was able to take my mother back to Old Warden for a couple of displays. It was a bit of a struggle for her as she was in a wheelchair by then, but the look on her face as the Spitfire and Hurricance took off and displayed showed that it was well worth it! (Funnily enough she didn’t seem quite as pleased to see Black 6!)

Memorable moments – the Shackleton leading PA474 in through the rain clouds (unfortunately we’d just given in to the rain and started to drive out, so no photos!), the Comet Racer, the Concorde display in ’87(?) and winning a flight in the Magister.

So, Old Warden continues to work its magic. We can’t make it this weekend, but barring any disasters we’ll be there on 5th September.