Duxford Sunday 8th June:
A notable visitor this morning was Stearman G-AROY, gracing UK skies since 1961:
A display practice from a pair of Chipmunks:
Frankie was outside but didn’t fly, while Spitfire MH434 remained hangared:
Some more of today’s visitors:
Duxford D-Day+70:
Today’s 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings saw the Grace Spitfire ML407 flown from Duxford to Goodwood and back. Her activity on 6th June 1944 is well known, and it was a privilege to see such a notable veteran in the air 70 years after her combat over Omaha Beach:
Three other Spitfires at Duxford presently carry invasion stripes. PV202 wasn’t delivered until September 1944, but carries the 33 Sq markings she wore on operations:
MJ627 carries 411 Sq RCAF marks:
MH434 was in use with 222 Sq in the D-Day period:
Three other fighters with stripes:
TP-51 Miss Velma represents the 55th FG scheme worn by Capt Frank Birtciel’s P-51D:
Note the refitted prop.
Ferocious Frankie, of course, well known scheme from Wallace E Hopkins of 361st FG:
The P-47D in the American Air Museum represents ‘Oregon’s Britannia’ flown by ‘Hub’ Zemke of 56th FG:
Also in the AAM is another true D-Day veteran. C-47A 43-15509 flew from Cottesmore with the 316th TCG, dropping paratroops near Saint-Mere-Eglise on D-Day:
The TFC Wildcat ‘JV579’ also wears stripes:
Cub G-AKAZ wears 57-G to represent an aircraft assembled at Utah beach on D-Day+3:
Ironically, the only Duxford warbird to fly to France today didn’t wear invasion markings:
Visiting BBMF Chipmunk WG486. Sadly, defence cutbacks mean we can only afford one stripe these days:
I thought I’d covered everything when the Sabre was towed past:
Duxford Friday 6th June (Part 1):
The warm sunshine brought many of the Duxford fleet outside today. The TFC Corsair was busy with a series of engine runs:
Some other residents caught during the frequent shuffles:
Jet Provost T.5 G-BWOF flew through:
Duxford Wednesday 4th June:
Plenty of Spitfires on the move today, and all of them moving backwards!
The only notable movements in the murky weather were Harvard G-BUKY and the Police MD900:
Old Warden Tuesday 3rd June:
A quick visit this morning was, as usual, very rewarding.
The ‘Magnificent Men’ Demoiselle replica which arrived from Australia in January was passing through the workshop for a trial assembly. It’s far from the Shuttleworth standards required to go on display yet, but hopefully may be a candidate for rebuild at some stage.
By no means a faithful replica, it features a steel tube structure (instead of bamboo) and is powered by a 30hp VW engine. One of three built by PPS at White Waltham, I believe it’s first flight was in May 1964, so recently celebrated a 50th birthday. Apparently it flew well, though needed a very small pilot (Joan Hughes was the principal pilot and weighed in at 8 stone).
Elsewhere in the workshop, the Hind’s Kestrel was on view:
The Swiss Garden is due to re-open in July:
Duxford Tuesday 3rd June:
Two of Duxford’s fighters departed today. P-51D ‘Ferocious Frankie’ went to join the gathering at Lee-On-Solent, and Spitfire SM845 headed North to her other home at Humberside:
Shackleton surgery has resumed
The TFC Nimrod was receiving attention today:
Duxford Sunday 1st June (Part 3):
Making a brief fuel stop this evening was Beech D17S N16S. Many will know this well travelled machine as Captain Biff’s round-the-world ‘Red Rockette’.
Now carrying her RN serial FT466, she dropped in from Audley End and departed to Lee On Solent. Truly immaculate. You saw it here first!
Duxford Sunday 1st June (Part 2 of 3):
By 1500, the light was perfect for another Hellcat sortie. A rare sight which may become rarer in the future:
Duxford Sunday 1st June (Part 1 of 3!)
This morning was busy again, with a memorable routine from the TFC Hawk 75 followed by another test flight from the Hellcat. Spitfire IA G-AIST/P7308 also flew and gave us a vigorous display on return. The OFMC Spitfire MH434 flew twice, on duty with Classic Wings, and also performed on rejoin.
Sadly, all into sun!
The TFC Corsair looks almost ready to resume flying duty:
Duxford Friday 30th May:
Airshow season is now well underway, and the Plane Sailing Catalina had departed for Sweden by opening time this morning. Also away for the weekend were the ARCo pair of Spitfire PV202 and Buchon ‘Yellow 10’:
The TFC crew were busy engine running during the day. The Hawk 75 was the only flier, but the Bearcat came close:
Passing through today were an Austrian Christen Husky, Bulldog G-SIJW, and a pair of Chinooks:
Today’s highlight came just before closing time, with the wonderful sight of the Blenheim I outside:
Duxford Thursday 29th May:
The numerous half-term visitors today were lucky to see a couple of Spitfires in the air. The Arco Tr.9 and the HAC LF.Vb were both active:
Two of the TFC cats:
TFC’s Carbon Cub was also in the air:
Another busy day for Classic Wings:
A Belgian visitor here since last Friday, this is an Aero Kros MP-02 Czajka (which is Polish for lapwing!)
Duxford Monday 26th May:
Today is Memorial Day in the USA, so Sally B made her annual pilgrimage to Madingley. This year the trip was extended to East Kirkby for their American Air Day:
Miss Pick Up was also active this afternoon:
The large Bank Holiday attendance made for another bumper day for Classic Wings, before the rain set in:
Finally, Hangar 2;
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