Guess there’s been a few Spitfire Shows at DX then! first one I recall was in 1996, didn’t get in to that one! drove down from S. Yorks, arrived about 9AM and then sat in traffic for the next 3 hrs, watched the show from the road.

Always best to ignore the signed way in from the north, leave the M11 the junction before Duxford, and sneak in via the back roads – I drove straight in at about 10am using that trick that day (but was then stranded for over 3 hours by the Officer’s Mess trying to leave, as the decision had clearly been taken to empty the airfield first – can’t win them all!)

To answer the original question, I did Maths, Physics and Geography at ‘A’ Level (followed by Geography at University, but more importantly, 110 hrs on a University Air Squadron) – frankly, I didn’t get that good grades at ‘A’ level, because I went for what I perceived to be the more ‘useful’ subjects, rather than my stronger ones. I was fantastically lucky to get onto a BA sponsored course at Hamble (anyone remember that?), which ended up costing me nothing, because they couldn’t employ us at the end of the course.

If you are going for sponsored training, then, clearly, the sponsoring airline will have its minimum educational standards which are likely to be pretty rigid (I would imagine Maths and at least one science at ‘A’ Level would be required).

If you are self funding, then I can’t imagine that a flight training school will be as rigid with their requirements (after all they are businesses, with a keen interest in profit) – however, Maths/Physics are pretty useful subjects to have. I was crap at both and struggled through my ‘A’ Levels, and still made it through to the pointy end of a jet eventually!

Sadly, the most stupid comments tend to be broadcast over the PA by the ‘expert’ commentators.

If its in the Sun, every word must be true.

I thought the re-enactors greatly added to the flightline this year, and in this case, were probably considerably more accurately dressed than the machine behind. Well done all (shame about the spamcan and portaloo in the background!)

they are making serious profits which i don’t begrudge them

I have no great inside knowledge of TFC, but, was always under the impression that it did NOT make a profit, and it was only due to Stephen Grey’s vision, passion and finance that we have such a superb collection of warbirds available for us to enjoy in the UK. Gate income from Legends may well exceed expenditure, but I cannot believe that huge profits are being made – regard the entrance fee as your little bit to help (as well as access to the best airshow in Europe)

As for the moaners (they said 60 aircraft, there were only 56 etc etc), let me quote (or slightly paraphrase) the ‘Four Yorkshiremen’ sitting next to me (honestly,I kid you not – imagine this spoken in broad Barnsley accents, with big grins on the face, struggling to make each other heard over the huge sound of ten Spitfires on Sunday)

“Remember t’Finningley, when we used to t’dream of a single t’Spitfire turning up?”

“Aye, and that would usually breakdown and not turn up”

Repeat ad infinitum, getting more pessimistic!

Thanks to all at TFC for such a superb, safe, well executed show. Clearly the moaners never witnessed the warbird content of a UK airshow 30 years ago.

I agree with JDK & Tuck – elevated bank to the west of Land Warfare is an excellent viewpoint for the display (especially with an easterly wind and runway 06 in use). On top of the bank you get a clear view over the whole airfield and generally less crowded than the rest of Duxford. If you can, aim to arrive from the west, on the A505, and then you should park somewhere behind land Warfare (unless, of course, parking arrangements have totally changed) I usually arrive 10am, and rarely have any problem queuing.
Whatever you do allow time for the Flightline Walk – a modest fee (£3 ish) allows close access to the participants.

Have you considered offering it to the prog rock band Yes for their next album cover ? :rolleyes:

Are the old farts still alive? Gabba Gabba Hey!

(on second thoughts, not quite appropriate, as I suspect Yes are still with us……yawn…..but 50% of the Ramones have expired!)