Duxford Wednesday 28th November:
Today’s visit found the OFMC P-51D without power:
The HAC fleet are also resting in Hangar 3. The Hurricane auction is due on Monday:
I’ve been sent more pics from the Chipmunk sortie described recently. Thanks again to PL for the update:
For ‘DragonRapide’ is this close enough? The 56 Sqn Phantoms returning from a detail north of Norway intercepted the Chipmunk, a difficult target, using their radar and talking to us on VHF. Suddenly they were there (pic1), I held a very steady straight line course! Steven Catley, then a teenage Venture Scout and looking through the Perspex sitting in the rear seat did very well to get these pictures (Pics 2 and 3).
To answer ‘Yak 11 Fan’, we started off going south abeam Southwold but looking out towards the east, the Phantoms were in silhouette and the North Sea not very interesting (pic 4), so we did a 180. By the time the original earlier posted picture was taken, Lowestoft is seen on the port wing and that is Oulton Broad on the wingtip.
To illustrate WK522’s career, I’ve been sent this wonderful photo. Thanks again to PL, who describes the sortie:
Here’s one from the album dated 18th March 1988. Picture taken by venture scout Stephen Catley (his copyright) from the back of WK522 (G-BCOU). My logbook says use call sign Firebird 4 to rendezvous with Phantoms ‘Warlord 3 & 4’ at 11.00 local. 4000ft four miles east of Southwold. Then proceed to Wattisham. For the record, the Chipmunk managed 120 Knots and the Phantoms going close to the stall passed slowly one on each side. All great fun!
Duxford Sunday 25th November:
Things are still very quiet at Duxford, the snarl of a Harvard was the only highlight in the skies today:
Inside, however, there was a hive of activity in Hangar 2. Over-winter work on the Plane Sailing Catalina is well underway. The starboard aileron was removed this morning:
The B-17 Preservation team were completing work on the port wing bolts:
And finally, there’s only a month to go:
Duxford 1987
With nothing topical to report, here are a few photos of Duxford from a quarter of a century ago. I don’t have much coverage, so many thanks to Andy Robinson, who has allowed me to borrow and scan his slide collection. The basic scans don’t do justice to the original slides, but are still very evocative.
Starting with my own visit on 21-5-87, I caught Blenheim IV G-MKIV / V6028 the day before her first flight. Second pic (by AR) on 2-8-87 shows what remained after the accident at Denham on 21-6-87. Such a shame she only managed four weeks in the air after a twelve year restoration:
Pictured by AR on the flightline 11-10-87 is Harvard G-BGPB ‘385’. After USAF, German and Portuguese service, she was imported by Robs Lamplough in 1979 and restored in RCAF markings. This aircraft was very active as part of the ‘Harvard Duo’ with G-AZKI, and later was part of the Harvard Formation Team in the Eighties. After a change of ownership in 1989, she was damaged at Little Gransden, then re-acquired by ARCo and rebuilt in her present form as Portuguese ‘1747’. She has been very busy ever since.
P-51D ‘472258 / Big Beautiful Doll’ is the IWM P-51D due back at Duxford very soon. Ex USAAF, she served as 9246 with the RCAF from 1947 to 1951 before becoming a gate guard. Presented to the IWM in 1967, she was stored for four years before being rebuilt at Duxford. Seen here by AR on 8-8-87, the Mustang has been at South Lambeth since 1989:
Also leaving South Lambeth shortly is Fw190 733682, returning from RAF Museum loan. Seen here at Duxford 21-5-87:
TBM-3E Avenger CF-KCG saw USN and RCN service before becoming a budworm sprayer and firebomber. Written off circa 1975, she entered IWM storage until restoration for display in the Duxford American Air Museum. Seen here by AR 20-9-87:
Two of the DAS British Airliner Collection, taken by AR on the 2-8-87 Airshow day. Ambassador G-ALZO and Super VC-10 G-ASGC:
Bristol Freighter G-BISU of Instone/Atlantic Air Transport spent at least one Winter at Duxford. Photo by AR on 29-11-87. Later C-FDFC and W/O Enstone 18-7-96:
A visitor shot by AR on 13-9-87 was this Air UK Friendship G-BLFJ. An early production Srs 100 (Ex TAA).
This Pembroke, G-BNPG / XK884 was owned by Sir John Allison, and became SE-BKH the year after this photo (AR 11-9-87). Still airworthy in Sweden:
Victor XH648 also seen by AR on 11-9-87, before her unfortunate repaint in 1989:
One of many ex-service jets passing through Duxford in the eighties was Swiss Venom G-BLID / J-1605. Imported via Aces High, this aircraft went through several owners before preservation at the Gatwick Aviation Museum at Charlwood. Pic by AR on 11-9-87:
Curtiss P-40E N94466 will be remembered by many, being with OFMC 1984-1989. Still flying in the USA in the same colours. Seen here by AR on 11-9-87:
The wonderful sight of a TFC pair taxying past. Alongside the well known P-47 is Mustang ‘599’ / G-PSID, a Doug Arnold import flown by TFC 1987-1988 and still wearing the ‘Empire Of The Sun’ movie markings. Became F-AZFI in 1988, she was destroyed 24-7-98. It is a sad thought that ‘Ferocious Frankie’ is the only survivor from the three Mustangs and three pilots that took part in that movie. Pic by AR on 11-9-87:
Still with TFC is FG-1D N8297 / 88297. Arriving in 1986, she became G-FGID / KD345. seen here 21-5-87:
Two views of Spitfire LF.XVIe G-CDAN / TB863 on rebuild with TFC (AR 11-9-87). First flown 14-9-88 and to New Zealand 10-88 as ZK-XVI. Now at Temora as VH-XVI.
Finally, a pair of Stearmans (Stearmen ?) seen 21-5-87. N54922 has had a long career promoting Yugo cars, Cadbury’s Crunchie, Utterly Butterly and Guinot cosmetics. Still flying, but not part of the Breitling team. NC88ZK was with OFMC for a while and reportedly went to Italy (Any update?)
Duxford Sunday 18th November:
As mentioned on Friday, we now have the chilling sight of a V-2 rocket and engine in Hangar 4:
I’ve featured the based Stearman many times, but such a pretty aeroplane in the sunshine would be rude to ignore:
Another view of Chipmunk G-BCOU / WK522:
Duxford Friday 16th November:
I’ve just been sent this pic of a late arrival today. With thanks to Neil Bridges, who suggests this might be someones big brother:
Duxford Friday 16th November:
The V-2 was arriving just as I left this lunchtime, so photos next visit.
The only new angle I could find today was this trainer trio in Hangar 2, Yale Harvard and SNJ:
Thanks to Rivet Joint for assistance:
Duxford Wednesday 14th November:
No news to report from Duxford today, so here’s a few shots of the TFC fleet, scattered in the sunshine during an epic hangar shuffle. After all, there’s only 241 days to go…..
Duxford Sunday 11th November:
A big crowd at a sunny Duxford today for all the usual Remembrance Day events.
The two minute’s silence was a little early by my reckoning, it probably gave the landing Twin Comanche a surprise:
As well as a Service Of Remembrance in Airspace, there was a ceremony at the Royal Anglian Regiment’s Memorial. Between the AAM and Land Warfare, it is an imposing sight by itself, and was well attended:
Making the most of the sunshine was the based Stearman:
Plenty of Forumites in attendance today, it was good to say hello to Moggy C and Hairyplane:
Duxford Friday 9th November:
A quiet morning, livened up by a display from Fennec N14113:
A few details noted, including cowlings fitted to ‘Thunderbird 5’
First rudder fitted to the Ambassador:
Jagdpanzer arrives via the M11:
Also recently arrived is this 1918 Mark V (Male):
The above shape got me thinking about the WWI presence at Duxford. With seven 1914-1918 aircraft here (five of them more or less genuine survivors), there is an excellent cross-section of early types on view. Starting with Culley’s Camel, a Zeppelin killer:
BE2c 2699 saw home defence duties and may also have chased an airship or two:
The Bristol F.2b in Hangar 4 also served in the UK:
Returned from India to display in Airspace is DH.9 D5649:
The RE.8 also has links to the Indian sub-continent, being a presentation aircraft funded by Ceylon:
Two replicas complete the collection. Nieuport G-BWMJ / N1977 has been seen at Duxford’s airshows this year:
Suspended in the American Air Museum is SPAD XIII replica G-BFYO / S4513:
Finally a reminder that Remembrance Sunday is coming up. Large crowds are expected at Duxford, with free entry and a Service of Remembrance at 1230.
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