Duxford Sunday 19th January:
The ‘old’ nose section of Blenheim IV G-BPIV returned today from a six month holiday in Coventry:
The calm weather allowed a repair to the American Air Museum roof (damaged by strong winds over Christmas):
Cosmic Wind G-ARUL out in the sunshine:
Some of today’s visitors:
Duxford Wednesday 15th January:
Departures from Hangar 5 have brought the IWM P-51D into the limelight. Like the F-15, she is presently only being surveyed.
In our never-ending search to bring you unique and rare views of iconic flying machines, here is a detail that is often overlooked. The business end of an Airspeed Ambassador!
And here’s the other end:
Duxford Tuesday 14th January:
More ‘Large Objects’ were being prepared for the trip to South Lambeth today. The Spitfire I R6915 was first to be loaded:
The Spitfire was well wrapped up for the journey. After all, there was a nip in the air:
The wonderful sound of Classic Wings’ two Harvards was very welcome this morning. Filming was taking place, I don’t recognise the passenger, but I think he enjoyed the flight:
With a Harvard missing from Hangar 3, the warm Spring sunshine (?) highlighted the OFMC pair:
Finally, to answer a recent question, Big Beautiful Doll will be staying at Duxford, but maybe not this one:
Duxford Sunday 12th January:
Another quiet day, so here’s a quick look back at the F-15. After 17 years USAF/ANG service, 76-0020 was sent to Duxford from six years storage at Davis-Monthan. Seen here in April 2001 shortly after arrival and still wearing the DM storage ID FH074 and Louisiana ANG markings:
About 7 years were spent in 36th TFW marks (which ‘020 wore from 1977 to 1981):
In 2009, another refurbish saw a change of markings to 5th FIS. Note the two-tone grey which is no longer distinct:
Duxford Saturday 11th January:
Here since August 1972, and it’s getting difficult to find a new angle on the Shackleton. Bomberflight had to get up early for this lovely shot from yesterday:
The F-15A in Hangar 5 is particularly photogenic at the moment. I understand it is only hangared for survey at the moment.
Otherwise, nothing to report today apart from a good crop of GA visitors:
Duxford Tuesday 31st December:
It’s nearly time to wind up the Duxford Diary for 2013, so here goes with the credits!
First, my personal thanks to Duxman and Pen Pusher for sharing the hard work that goes into providing regular coverage of events. We’ve seen more contributors posting this year, hopefully that will continue. Many thanks also for all the kind words and encouragement which make the effort worthwhile.
The reports that we post are, of course, entirely unofficial and independent of the Duxford management, but we must record our thanks to conservation staff and volunteers, ATC, Museum Assistants, engineers, other staff and volunteers at ARCo/HFL, B-17 Preservation, Classic Wings, DAS, DH Support, HAC, OFMC, Plane Sailing, TFC, and all the others who keep Duxford going. Their tolerance of our constant presence is appreciated.
Finally, thanks to the many owners and pilots for their generosity in sharing their aeroplanes with us.
Here’s my Duxford ‘Top 20’ for 2013. It’s been a struggle to find 20 photos I haven’t posted before, but here goes:
Two of Duxford’s oldest residents departed this year. Varsity T.1 WJ945 arrived in 1974, and left in sections to Newquay. The fuselage seen here leaving on Jan 8th:
Amiot AAC.1 / Ju52 ‘4V+GH’ had been here even longer, arriving shortly before Duxford’s first Open Day in 1973. Departing for Krakow on May 16th, she just missed her 40th anniversary on show.
Most of the IWM work this year concerned the exhibits which were lodging while the South Lambeth museum was being reconstructed. Sadly, much of the in-depth work now takes place away from public view, and can’t be covered here. Work in London has been extended, and the Museum will be closed for another six months. The next major project will be the American Air Museum overhaul.
DAS had another busy year with the never ending maintenance of the British Airliner Collection. A shuffle of the line-up on April 23rd saw a nearly complete Ambassador taking its place on ‘Airliner Row’.
Turning next to ARCo/HFL, and another big project was completed on March 27th with the first flight of rebuilt BBMF Hurricane PZ865:
Two Spitfires also emerged this year. In the case of the Rolls Royce PR.XIX, it was after six months of accident repair. The ‘First’ flight was on July 17th.
A more radical debut was from FR.XVIIIe SM845 which flew again on Dec 17th. I’m looking forward to seeing more of this beautiful machine in the New Year.
August 18th was the tenth anniversary of the Blenheim’s accident. Just six days earlier, she emerged in new camouflage with some distracting extra markings! Her next appearance is eagerly awaited….
Turning to TFC, and the return of two favourites. Gladiator G-GLAD/N5903 returned to the air on May 1st, and became my Legends favourite when flown with the Shuttleworth example.
The Wildcat also flew again, on June 17th. Only the Hellcat to go!
Another welcome return this year was P-51C Princess Elizabeth. Her trip back to Duxford included three memorable events, the Eagle Squadron four-ship display at the May show, the commemorative tour of East Anglia, and of course Legends 2013.
Sharing the headlines at the above three events was the TFC P-47 ‘Snafu’. Sadly, July 26th saw her final flight in the UK before export. Those of us lucky enough to witness that last flight will be talking about it for a long time. Here’s the final landing:
OFMC had a fairly quiet year, with P-51D ‘Ferocious Frankie’ offline for most of the season. Spitfire MH434, however, added to her long list of film credits. First was the Nancy Spielberg production ‘Above And Beyond’ covering the birth of the Israeli Air Force (Release mid 2014?):
Also marked up was Buchon G-BWUE. A German designed, Spanish built, British operated aircraft pretending to be a Czech built machine of the Israeli Air Force for an American film.
Due for release in February is ‘The Monuments Men’, directed by George Clooney and starring Spitfire MH434:
One of this summer’s display highlights took place the day after Legends and featured the Red Bull B-25. Maybe a return in 2014?
September’s Airshow saw a memorable appearance from the BA/GSS Boeing 747:
And a Happy New Year to all our readers!
Duxford Sunday 29th December:
Today saw the first chance to check on Duxford’s state after the storms and Christmas closure. There is some significant damage to a corner of the roof of Airspace, and the American Air Museum has also suffered, but the older buildings and outside aircraft residents appear unscathed.
With nothing much to report, here’s a couple of de Havilland’s finest. Classic Wings have not moved into their relocated hangar yet, and the fleet is in Hangars 2 and 3. The Chipmunk, G-BWNK / WD390 is a visitor from ‘Up North’
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