The two events were designed around different themes.

Biggin Hill was to try and give a feel for the events of 18th August and therefore was very specific, with a mass launch, then a standing patrol over the field followed by all the aircraft returning and then getting them all back down in a controlled manner just as occurred during the Battle. Added to that it had the chance to get quite close to the aircraft.

Goodwood was to commemorate the day perceived as the big turning point and was designed to get as many people as possible in the main Battle area to see an aircraft associated with it on the 75th anniversary, also with a mass launch and partial recovery to the airfield. To do that it needed numbers and succeeded.

Both events were unfortunate with the weather to some extent and also aircraft availability, but have provided us with something special to mark an important event in world history. I was at Biggin Hill on the 18th August and the atmosphere and spectacle was one of those “I was there” moments. From the writings here and on other forums Goodwood was clearly the same.

Ultimately we should be glad that it is possible to put on such events, that there are more of these aircraft being restored and operated. Most importantly that there are still survivors from the Battle of Britain to see it and know that they will be remembered.

Regards,

Dan

That’s the one from Biggin Hill, currently marked up as Peter Brothers 32 Squadron aircraft.

Regards,

Dan

Interesting – Shuttleworth Hurricane and Duxford based shark mouth P51 have arrived this morning.

Regards,

Dan

My first time at Eastbourne, indeed first time at a seaside air show, and I thought it was very good. The Vulcan effect was very clear as the crowds down the right (West) end of the display line thinned out noticeably after it finished. Nice to see the Blenheim, a very graceful display, and also a surprise appearance by P51 ‘Ferocious Frankie’ with an energetic display.

The Sea King looked like it went right over the top of the masses on Beachy Head after it finished its display and it looked like most acts came in from that side.

Regards,

Dan

Just to put this into context – I think this is where the Spitfire came down:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.3269122,0.0388634,121m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

Right at the edge of the tree line, with power cables about 100 yards away and a hangar adjacent to the landing site. That takes serious skill and large slice of luck to be able to walk away from. Hopefully Dan Griffith is on the mend and will be back flying soon – he put in a superb display in one of the Biggin Hill Spitfires at the concert they held on the airfield a couple of summers back.

MK912 will fly again, probably with a lot of new metal in it, but it does leave a gap for the 18th August event.

Regards,

Dan

KL-B is Deere’s Spitfire.

Thanks Daren, my mistake.

Regards,

Dan

Back home: https://twitter.com/CWHM/status/516258872991170560

Wonderful tour, memories made forever, thanks to all who made it possible 🙂

Regards,

Dan

I popped up there last night and only the two Tucano’s were on view. Looks like the main runway will continue to be the display line, there is no grandstand at the North end of the display line, as in the past, and it looks like aircraft will be parked around the second runway as per 2010.

There was a glossy advertising booklet that was delivered with the local paper last week, which is just like in the past, but I agree that publicity has been very low-key. Presumably this is to help keep numbers low.

I hope the event is a success and that it encourages the airport owners to allow it to be repeated. Red Arrows are on at 18:45 and are last display act, so there will be a mad rush for the exits once they’ve landed.

Regards,

Dan