I remember it well…
Duxford Sunday October 14th 1973:
First Airshow programme and list of events:
Photos are more difficult. I think this shot from the Tony Clarke Collection may have been taken that day, I’ll look for more:
Duxford Tuesday December 27th:
There were plenty of visitors today, but no sign of any new arrivals. Santa must have overlooked Duxford on Sunday. All I can offer is a sneaky shot from a gap in the Hangar 3 doors of Spitfire BM597 still awaiting her Merlin:
A highly detailed history of the RAF Museum Fiat CR.42, including the details of its forced landing and flying career at Duxford is at:
http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/collections/aircraft/aircraft-history/78-AF-952%20%20%20Fiat%20CR42%20Falco.pdf
Here’s how she looked earlier this year:
Duxford Thursday December 22nd:
On what might be my last visit for a few days, the splendid weather meant a busy flying day. The most colourful visitor was another ‘Ultimate High’ Bulldog from Kemble, G-RNRS:
With the pleasure flying season over, Classic Wings’ Rapide G-AIYR returned from some time away:
Making room for the Rapide in the hangar, Super Cub G-BIMM spent time in the sun:
The based Cub G-AKAZ was active (almost looks like side-by-side seating):
And the Stearman was also enjoying the fine weather:
In Hangar 2, the Fiat CR.42 inspection continues, there are still plenty of bits left in the box:
The all important instruction manual (probably in Italian):
With cowlings refitted, Snafu looks tantalisingly complete, although there’s still plenty to do before she flies:
The B-17 in Hangar 5 has more masking completed:
Stars and bars are painted first, then masked before the olive drab finish:
Detail work on the Vampire continues:
And finally, best wishes for the season to all forumites:
Duxford Tuesday December 20th:
Is there a way to find out about any flights or engine runs before actually going to Dux, say a week or a few days or more in advance?
PenPusher is quite correct, you have to take your chances. Very rarely, there is a vague hint or a rumour, but things seldom happen as planned. My coverage of Duxford events is based on 175 visits this year, and I can never predict the level of activity. Today, for example, nothing to report.
Visitor numbers were very low:
Empty visitors ramp at 1030:
I had the entire Airspace building to myself:
Snafu didn’t fly today:
Another TFC wind-up (keep it up lads):
Duxford Sunday December 18th:
Nothing topical to report today, with only the Stearman active:
Otherwise, the Fiat CR.42 attracted a dense crowd (I chose my words carefully):
The B-17 port horizontal stabiliser standing in Hangar 5:
Duxford Saturday December 17th:
Can we put a stop to the excitement of the Fiat’s movement? I have it on good authority (I won’t reveal names) that since it is an Italian fighter, it is not moving but retreating…
Two of TFC’s treasures together:
It is a rare treat to be able to record such detail:
Is it me, or is there a resemblance?
On Tuesday, the Vampire’s corroded canopy frame was recorded:
Today, it looks like new:
This panel is a reminder of how much wooden structure there is in the Vampire:
Only visitor during my visit was this Falke ( I believe they are bringing back Bob-a-Job week )
That 504 looks superb. How was the Spitfire coming along?
To my untrained eye, the port wing has progressed with reskinning and the starboard wing is further dismantled. The fuselage remains in waiting. There were no engineers around during my quick visit, they may have been allowed a rare day off.
Now for two-seaters, starting with the T.4. XM966 ( looks like a Paris Airshow ) was later converted to T.5 but never entered service, crashing 22-7-65:
XM973 and XM974 are both without unit marks, probably both at Coltishall:
XM996 (Coltishall 19-9-64) and XM997 are both with 226 OCU:
A group of 226 OCU Lightning T.5’s. XS417,XS418 and XS419 are at Coltishall 18-9-65, and XS459 is Coltishall 17-9-66. ( XS417 is preserved at Newark, XS459 last reported West Walton Highway )
Finally, the fabulous sight of nine Lightnings from 74 Sq (?) at Coltishall 16-9-61:
In 1964, 92 Sq at Leconfield was the official RAF jet aerobatic display team. Their Lightning F.2’s were at the Farnborough Airshow September 1964 (XN768/S,XN786/D,XN790/E and XN793/K):
XP759/J is a Lightning F.3 of 23 Sq, seen at Mildenhall 21-5-66:
The spectacular markings of 56 Sq seen on F.3 XR719/D:
Duxford Tuesday December 13th:
A few more angles on the Fiat CR.42:
All change in Hangar 5, the B-17 fuselage is positioned for painting (although the job of masking is going to take a while ):
Duxford Lunedi 12Dicembre (seconda parte):
Un bellissimo aeroplano Italiano.
Volare a Leggende?
My thanks to the crew for their tolerance in working with an audience. TFC have not confirmed the exact status of this wonderful project, so for now we can consider it a trial assembly.
Duxford Monday December 12th ( Part 1 ):
A wintry day, with only this Harvard braving the cold winds:
However, everyone’s favourite P-47 ventured out for another engine run:
Joined by the P-40F:
Miss Velma is getting a detail make-over:
And Spitfire EP120 is still ‘airborne’:
In Hangar 5, the newly painted B-17G sections have been unmasked, the fuselage should be next for painting:
A few Fiat photos following…
Duxford Friday December 9th:
A very strange day at Duxford, with another film crew in action.
The plot, as far as I could make out, involved a passenger clinging to the wing while the stewardess offered a choice of tea or coffee. I shall await next years Academy Awards nominations with interest….
Meanwhile, for the conspiracy theorists among you, the TFC Gladiator was noted with a few panels removed:
The progress with the Fiat CR.42 has been remarkable, and duly recorded by the conscientious TFC historians:
Otherwise the highlight was time spent in Hangar 5 watching paint dry:
Please don’t attach any significance to the following:
On Tuesday January 24th, the BBC will be filming a ‘Flog It!’ valuation day at Duxford, where unwanted treasures will be assessed and auctioned. Details at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/beonashow/flogit12
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