Duxford Sunday 12th May:
A big day for Sally B today, with the first flight of her 39th display season at Duxford. All the hard work over a cold winter paid off, with a training sortie to Cambridge. First booking this year is at the Duxford Spring Airshow:
The yellow stripe will now be a feature for a while:
Dismantling of the Sea Venom continues:
Duxford Saturday 11th May:
A very dull morning with the threat of rain meant the Bonus Day Fly-In was not well attended today.
Not much activity around the hangars either, this was one of the few bright spots:
Duxford Friday 10th May:
The Airspace Conservation area is now closed while ‘Aircraft maintenance work’ is in progress. However, it was the Sea Venom in Hangar 3 that was the focus of attention today:
TFC’s Spitfire FR.XIVe sounding glorious as usual:
The assembly of ‘Princess Elizabeth’ has been covered, so just a few images from me. LOTS more on Flickr:
Duxford Wednesday 8th May:
More engine runs for the Wildcat and P-40F today:
Staying with TFC, the Hellcat still waiting her turn:
A clear view of Sea Fury G-BUCM / VX653 (sadly a dormant project for a while):
In the AAM, more markings on the B-17. Full story to come, but the new serial and 96th BG (Snetterton Heath) markings are in temporary paint:
Finally, the Toucan / Ju52. With the wing-mounted engines removed, both wings were taken off today.
Duxford Tuesday 7th May:
Finally, the long awaited departure of Amiot AAC.1/Ju52 +4V+GH’ began this morning with a tow to Airspace. Dismantling began immediately, and despite not having my passport, I was briefly allowed onto Polish property. It’s a big job, but she will be on the way to Krakow in a week or so. Many thanks to the museum crew for access.
Duxford Tuesday 7th May:
Caught outside during a shuffle at ARCo was the BBMF Spitfire AB910:
The ARCo Spitfire Tr.9 departed mid afternoon:
Duxford Tuesday 7th May:
Here’s some more pics of the Wildcat’s outing today. As I left, high power runs were due to start on the Western-end tie-downs.
I have lots more to post today, but my camera decided to start shooting in RAW without telling me, so I need to work out how to convert the images. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.
Duxford Tuesday 7th May:
More good news from TFC. The Wildcat powered up this morning for the first time in 5 years:
Old Warden Saturday 4th May (May Flying Evening):
The Sea Hurricane is airworthy again, but was only featured on static display:
Opening the event was the ‘new’ BBMF Spitfire TE311, sadly the accompanying Hurricane was U/S:
The Demon and Hind got the best sunshine:
The Po-2:
WWI types featured were the Triplane, SE5a and F2b:
Closing the show was the Lysander:
One hangar, four British Twins. Where else but Old Warden?
Duxford Friday 3rd May:
A very quiet morning at Duxford, but there’s always a new angle:
Arriving yesterday was the Grace Spitfire Tr.9 (Pic from FT with thanks):
Looks like there will be a good yellow background stripe soon.
11-7-08:
12-7-08:
13-7-08:
13-7-08:
13-7-08:
13-7-08:
13-7-08:
13-7-08:
13-7-08:
13-7-08:
13-7-08:
13-7-08:
Some more on TFC’s Gladiator:
N5903 was built at Hucclecote in 1939 and served with 141 Sq at Turnhouse until April 1940.
In 1948 N5903 and L8032 were bought back by Glosters and were used by AST for ground instruction at Ansty and Hamble.
Both aircraft were then bought by Viv Bellamy in December 1955. L8032 was rebuilt (as G-AMRK) later returning to Glosters and to the Shuttleworth Collection on 7-11-60.
N5903 was also donated but was incomplete. On loan to FAA Museum at Yeovilton (marked as Sea Gladiator N2276) from 1978 until acquired by TFC and sent to Duxford on 30-11-94
Registered G-GLAD 5-1-95.
Second First flight 10-7-08.
Third First flight 1-5-13
Here are some pictures of the rebuild. All at Duxford, first two from Tony Clarke:
12-94:
12-94:
5-10-96:
5-6-04:
27-8-05:
10-12-05:
28-1-06:
21-10-06:
21-1-07:
7-2-07:
17-2-07:
31-3-07:
11-8-07:
16-2-08:
4-7-08:
Duxford Wednesday 1st May:
As reported by PP, the morning’s highlight was a sortie by Spitfire IA G-AIST in her new markings. Too much sun for a change:
The P-40B was out, but did not fly. The P-40F flew around six o’clock, as did the Carbon Cub:
The DAS Ambassador had cowlings undone in the sunshine:
Finally: It is essential to cut the red wire first. Or was it the blue wire?
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