Duxford Wednesday 16th July:
Nothing much to report this morning. Typhoon DA4 ZH590 was outside briefly while the Victor was repositioned in Airspace:
G-SPIT continues to fascinate:
Duxford Tuesday 15th July:
For a while this morning, all four Spitfire Is were together in Hangar 3, though I failed to get them all in one frame. Here are three:
The Grace Spitfire ML407 was unstriped today:
TFC’s housekeeping continued, with the Beaufighter project making her presence felt:
The ex TFC P-40B finally departed this afternoon, as did the Planes Of Fame P-26 (Arrived July 1st, flew twice, round trip 10,826.84 miles!):
In the sunshine was XtremeAir XA-42 F-HAUL, at the moment resident with TFC:
Another hot ship was visiting, Paul Bonhomme’s Red Bull racer N55ZE, an Edge 540. Currently second in the table and next competing in Poland on July 26/27. Go Team Bonhomme!
http://www.teambonhomme.com/2010/index.php
The only warbird noise today came from Buchon ‘Yellow 10’, out for engine runs:
A team of DAS strippers left the Herald looking very different:
A visiting UK based SF260:
Also visiting were VariEze G-EZDG and 1960’s vintage Shield Xyla G-AWPN:
Finally, probably the first Duxford flyby from a new Chinook HC6, ZK552:
Duxford Friday 11th July:
There were lots of visitors on foot today, but the dreadful weather meant no activity until 1330, when the 3 Cubs managed some practice under a very low cloudbase. Then nothing until 1615 when the Red Bull B-25 flew, followed by the first UK flight of the P-26. As 1800 approached, the P-40C also debuted and the Super Constellation finally arrived at 1810. Many thanks to the staff who allowed some leeway at closing time.
Duxford Wednesday 9th July:
Very strong crosswinds meant no warbird flying today. Mid afternoon saw the first engine run from the P-26A, with a quick taxy check included. The TFC Corsair ran, and the Spitfire XIV was out for the first test of her re-installed Griffon 65:
The P-40C remained hangared:
Finally, you know it is Legends season when……..
Duxford Tuesday 8th July:
There were few Legends arrivals today (2 Cubs and a support XtremeAir XA42), but plenty of activity centred on the TFC fleet. Airborne were Bearcat, Hellcat (twice), Corsair and Gladiator (twice) plus Spitfire ML407 and based T-28, Bulldog, Cub and Tiger Moth. The undoubted highlight was a vigorous Gladiator display which had everyone searching for superlatives. One of the best solo displays I’ve seen….. ever.
The new P-40C had her first engine run, and the P-26 looks about ready to go.
Duxford Sunday 6th July:
Despite the grey and wet start, we had a busy day at Duxford.
Having arrived from Biggin Hill yesterday, Spitfire LF.XVIe RW382 flew twice for Classic Wings:
Spending some time in the circuit was Old Warden based Dragon Rapide G-AGSH:
Sally B returned from a weekend at Waddington:
Naturally, much of today’s activity came from TFC. A busy week lies ahead….
There may be traffic problems around Duxford tomorrow, with the Tour De France routing nearby. Access from the West, and from the M11 should be OK, but there are many road closures to the East.
My musings on the ups and downs of the Military Pageant, and some lovely photos (not mine!) of the B.E.2s can be found below… Have a gander if it takes your fancy!
A very informative and balanced view of events. I’m particularly pleased you praised the Catalina’s routine, it was certainly the best Cat display I’ve seen, and one of the best ‘large’ aircraft displays I’ve seen at Old Warden.
A quick visit today found many of the exhibits moved around to accommodate tomorrow’s private event ( Old Warden is CLOSED tomorrow!!). The Comet was showing off her engines and much progress was visible on the Spitfire’s starboard landing gear.
Duxford Tuesday 1st July:
Many of you will have seen the first picture of the Peashooter on TFC’s Facebook page, here are some more photos from this morning.
The Planes Of Fame Boeing P-26A was an early arrival in Hangar 2 this morning, quickly extracted from the container. NX3378G/33-123 ‘23’ carries the markings of 95th Pursuit Squadron, 17th Pursuit Group based at March Field, California circa 1934-35. The ‘Kickin Ass’ badge is still used by the 95th RS, flying ‘Rivet Joint’ RC-135’s (another Boeing product)
Assembly should be straightforward:
Many thanks to TFC.
Duxford Tuesday 1st July:
A very welcome surprise this morning was the re-appearance of Spitfire LF.IX MJ271 ‘MH424/H-53’. Having arrived at Duxford in 2006, it was last seen in public (dismantled) around February 2007 and has been in storage since.
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