Don’t forget the chewed up gunnery range Lightning wreck on the cover of “Sci-Fi Lullabies” by Suede.

The chap standing next to the dog with one foot up on the step bears an uncanny resemblance to Hugh ‘Cocky’ Dundas, who would also fit in with the date of the painting.

“There was a film about a family cast away somewhere, and they had a B-29 in it. I think they cut it up. Was it something to do with Noah’s Ark, I can’t recall.”

Just googled and found it was a Disney production called ‘The Last Fight of Noah’s Ark’, made in 1980 and starring Elliot Gould. A B29 full of animals and a bunch of kids crash-lands on an island still held by Japanese troops who believe the war is still going on. Apparently they cut the B29 up to turn it into a boat…as you do.

Daz,
The fin/rudder shape was a feature of a couple of the inter-war versions of the Brisfit, specifically the dual-control Mk.III’s and the standard Mk.IV’s, and some older models were retrofitted. There were also some civilian examples with different types of engine which also had revised fin/rudder profiles.
Going by the profile of the aft-fuselage decking, the example in the picture looks most like a de-mobbed Mk.III Dual.

Thanks once again Dave, more great footage. 🙂 Interesting to see the wheels still spinning on the P40 as the gear is being retracted, I’ve always thought it was standard procedure to dab the brakes before bringing the wheels up?

Edited to say I’ve just run the videos again with no problems, don’t know what the problem was the first time around. Sorry Dave 🙂

Excellent post, it’s remarkable just how much needed to be done in such a short time. Many thanks to all the engineers and ground support guys for making it such a great display and especially for getting the P47 back together in time for her farewell display.
One thing you’ve missed from your list Beafighter- the detached canopy on the Mk.XIV Spit. Was the original refitted or a replacement?

Glad I asked 😀 More great pics mate, thanks. Lovely shot of the Brisfit, I’ve always thought the prop is a work of art in itself.

I went to the show today (Sunday), and as ever it was a wonderful experience. Although it stayed dry the wind was stiff and pretty relentless, I have the deepest admiration for all the pilots who displayed today. I honestly don’t know how some of the lighter types and formations coped, even the big, butch Tigercat was drifting very noticeably during the vertical segments of its display. I reckon the Aerostars deserve a particular mention for the way they kept their routine together despite the conditions- well done guys! A wonderful show with plenty of interesting displays, even if there was no ‘surprise’ as such. Highlights for me were the BBMF Lanc (as always), the Buchon and of course the Kennet Seafire, amongst others. It was great to see the Seafire flying no less than three times during the show, particularly the shared slot with the Catalinas.
Any complaints? Only that there never seems to be enough time to see everything in the museum as well as the flying display-arrived fairly early today but still had to skip one of the hangars and I’ve yet to ever set foot in the Land Warfare Hall, despite going to Duxford shows for 10 years or so! Next time, next time…
I do have a couple of questions:

1) Does anyone know why the RACo Mustang didn’t display today, despite displaying yesterday and departing with the RACo Buchon and Hurri at the end of the show this evening?

2) Did the Swiss B25 not make it to the show? It certainly wasn’t around today.

3) Who was flying the Tigercat at the head of the balbo? I know Pete Kynsey flew her earlier in the day during the Grumman cats display, but I’m pretty certain there was someone else at the helm when she was taxied out for the Balbo take off.

Huge thanks to everyone involved in the planning, preparation and execution of the show. Entertaining, exciting and above all safe- simply wonderful.