DUXFORD 25 YEARS AGO (Part 5)

Here are some more pictures from May 1988. Scans are from Andy Robinson’s slides.

On May 13th, Buzz Kaplan’s Savoia Marchetti S56B NC194M was uncrated at Duxford for a short European visit. After departing to Old Warden, it then travelled to La Ferte Alais on the 18th. Seen here on May 14th:

Two more shots of the Aces High B-25 camera-ship N1042B, still at Duxford on May 21st after filming ‘Piece Of Cake’:

Buchon G-BOML in film marks on May 14th:

On wing-walking duty with Yugo Cars was Stearman N54922. Seen at the Classic Fighter and Fire Engine Display (!) on May 15th, and still doing the same job 25 years later:

Also at the May 15th Airshow was Dove G-ARDE:

Pictured on May 21st is Mustang G-HAEC in ‘Empire Of The Sun’ markings:

Parked next to the Mustang were three of the ‘Piece Of Cake’ Spitfires; G-MKIX/NH238, G-PRXI/PL983 and G-ASJV/MH434:

Catalina G-BLSC/JV928 and Pilatus P.2 G-BJAX on the flightline May 21st:

Auster AOP.9 G-AXRR/XR241 seen on May 28th was approaching completion for the British Aerial Museum:

Provost T.1 G-BKFW/XF597 also on May 28th:

Recently arrived was Bearcat 122095. Ex Thai Air Force and recovered to La Ferte Alais, it became G-BUCF and was shipped to the USA unrestored in 1992. Flown as N2209 since 1999. Seen here on May 28th:

Many thanks again to Andy for use of his slides.

Duxford Thursday 16th May (Part 4):

Third warbird in the photocall line-up was P-47G ‘Snafu’ which later departed to France:

Completing the quartet was Spitfire IA G-AIST / AR213, now marked as P7308:

SNJ-5 G-CHIA /85061 spent the day with ARCo:

Cub G-RRSR / 480173 departed this morning:

Visiting Sukhoi Su-26M:

Duxford Thursday 16th May (Part 2):

P-51C Princess Elizabeth was towed onto the flightline for a presscall this morning:

On the subject of Mustangs, the latest Spring Airshow list omits ‘Ferocious Frankie’, still getting her new engine installed:

And sadly, another Mustang to miss the big day will be ‘Big Beautiful Doll’, still disassembled in Hangar 5:

Duxford Wednesday 15th May:

The wings from the Toucan/Ju52 and the Sea Venom departed this morning, the remaining items look ready to leave as well:

Snafu stayed on the ground today, but spent some time outside:

It was the P-40F’s turn to entertain us today. Having dispatched my assistants to the airfield corner, to cover the topside passes, I captured take-off and landing:

This pic has featured on this forum before, but newer readers might not be aware of the P-51B 42-106826 in use at Duxford by the 78th FG as a two-seat ‘hack’ just after the war.

Duxford Monday 13th May:

TFC’s P-47G ‘Snafu’ had a couple of engine runs before her late afternoon test flight, and sounded very smooth. Sadly it was very dark on her return:

Also airborne this afternoon was the TFC Harvard:

Finally from TFC, the Corsair uncowled:

Duxford Monday 13th May: