The farm I lived on as a boy was on the Boscombe Down flight path. I saw the TSR2 flying once with its attendant chase planes. Never thought at the time that it would be the only chance I would have to see it in the air.

I can remember the Javelin that’s now at DX flying too. We were also lucky enough to have a school trip to Filton, the day the Concorde prototype flew for the first time. Those were the days.

YR

Another four:

Coventry 05
Ostende 26
Midden Zeeland 09 (Dog leg approach to avoid the campsite. The threshold is just beyond the river)
Schaffen Diest – downwind 24 (from an AN-2)

YR

Have to agree, it was an excellent show. Lots of Concorde paintings this time, of course. I believe there’s another exhibition in Coventry next month for anyone in the Midlands who missed the London show.

YR

Glad you got there at last and missed the nuclear power station too! Can hear the thunder as I’m typing this in.

Here’s to more days out in France, Belgium, Hollland, Germany…

YR

AJM

The Spitfire flight was a totally unique experience, but one I shall probably never be able to afford to do again. Just to get it in the Log Book is something every pilot dreams of, especially as later I got my LB countersigned by Jean Dabos – a Free French pilot who flew the same Spitfire operationally in the war and went on to test fly Concorde!

I can fly the Yak solo and do pretty much what I want in it – and it’s affordable (just) – so that’s why I put it first.

YR 😀

You could be making things more complicated for yourself.

A brake handle on the stick means you have to use the rudder to initiate differential braking when you squeeze the handle – left rudder: left brake, right rudder: right brake, rudder neutral: both brakes. This is what happens on the Yak 52 and a lot of old warbirds, including jets. These systems also tend to be compressed air driven, rather than hydraulic.

It’s not a problem, but it does take some getting used to, especially with a castoring nosewheel (not a problem in a Spitfire, of course, but that will have a castoring tailwheel) as you have to use a lot of power to force the wheel straight if you are turning sharply when parking, for example.

I think toe brakes would be your easiest option.

YR

What a thoroughly enjoyable weekend again. Some great flying – remember a Flying Legend doesn’t have to be a warbird!

If you want to save money become a Friend of Duxford – I got in both days for £20 (my mate who is 60 got in for £12.80), and with other airshows also at a discount, plus discounts at the shops and cafes and reduction in landing fees when I fly in (as well as unique events through the year) it more than pays for itself over the year. (Note to myself – must join the SVAS too.)

Food overpriced and over here, but what do you expect at events of this sort?

Memorable moments:

The Rapides doing a run and break – wonderful!

The Corsairs, which seemed like they were tied together.

The B25s – great to see Grumpy in the air again.

The I-15. Agree with Robbo, a must for OW, especially when they get the PO-2 flying as well. Maybe next year???

The P39 – a gentle flat display, but who cares. What a marvellous piece of restoration.

The BBMF synchro Spits. Nicely flown and different from the usual routine.

Merlins – Spit or Mustang – never enough of those. But the singleton Mustang – excellently flown. Rolling with the gear down today as he turned downwind!

Yes, some aircraft went tech. That’s the nature of complex machinery. But pretty much everything flew at least once over the weekend. Thanks to all the engineers who worked their guts out to get things ready in time – you all deserve a pay rise, so maybe it should be £30 next year, LOL.

To all those who didn’t get to the Red Lion on Saturday after the show. Well, you really missed out: meeting up with a great bunch of people, whose common passion is aviation; and to round off a great day spending some time wth the 609 Squadron Typhoon pilots. £25? That experience was priceless.

And think what we’ve got to look forward to next year – the TFC Gladiator, Curtiss Hawk, Princess Elizabeth and Sea Fury, hopefully RNHF aircraft back on the flightline, the Kennet Seafire, more Hurricanes. And, of course, the ‘surprises’.

Saving up already!

YR 😀 😀 😀 😀