Situated near Cambridge RAF Duxford built during the 1st World War played an important role during the 2nd. Home to many types of aircraft including a
Messerschmitt 109 in RAF colours, belonging to the Air Fighting Development Unit Duxford’s first air show of the 2005 season got off to a challenging start with the weather changing from sunshine to heavy rain
with thunder and lightning to hail and back to sunshine all within an hour and rotating through this cycle during the flying display. Fortunately for us the Vulcan and Concorde exhibits stationed in the open air due to the
development of the new display hanger provided excellent cover from the worst of the day’s weather. High cross winds were to be a problem too with some aircraft not being able to takeoff including the Battle of Britain
Memorial Flight from Conningsby.
We did however get a great display from the newly restored Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 R4118 on its first public appearance. This aircraft saw action
during the Battle of Britain. The story of Hurricane R4118’s restoration started in 1982 when the plane was discovered by Peter Vacher. The culmination of the story was on display today. The full story of this aircraft is
told in a book launched today “Hurricane R4118”. Another blow to the event was the grounding of the B 17 Sally B {aka Memphis Belle} due to EU law relating to third party liability insurance requiring a insurance premium
increase of £20,000.00 per year or £1000.00 a hour flying time for Sally B. A campaign is under way to gain a waiver from this law but for now Sally B will stay on the ground and may miss the season entirely.
The show was free for all people over 60 as a show of respect for those who lived or served through the war. Apart from the flying displays Duxford offers an exceptional collection of exhibits and works in progress, a
visitor would need a full day just to view the collection and workshops without any spare time for a flying display.
The “shar” (BAe Sea Harrier FA.2) single seat multi role fighter made its reputation during the Falklands war giving extremely good results in
combat and operational durability with a recorded 23 confirmed kills. Developed from the FRS1 the FA2 has improved avionics and weapons package. Once again we note that this model will not remain in service for
long and will ultimately be replaced by the joint strike fighter. One of the most impressive fighters of the post cold war era its passing will be mourned, so see it while you can. The “shar” did a very short and surprising
display showing only a small amount of what the enthusiasts have come to expect from this formidable aircraft. It was a little disappointing but no complaints were heard as this was the first Harrier display most of us had
seen since October 2004.
Owned by Catalina Aircraft Ltd based at Duxford the Catalina is a regular participant at Duxford and is a welcome visitor at many air shows in the UK.
Her Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engines make a most welcome drone as she gracefully displays across the Cambridgeshire sky, the bright colour scheme make the PBY unmistakable in any weather. The PB-Y has many feathers in
its cap for reconnaissance and search and rescue, perhaps the finest hour for this type was the spotting of the Japanese fleet in the conflict in the Pacific leading to the engagement that would be remembered as the Battle
of Midway. The Catalina Aircraft Ltd’s PB-Y worked as a water bomber before being purchased in 2002. The training version of the P/F-80 Shooting Star has a stretched fuselage and a tandem cockpit configuration and
considered to be a better aircraft than its combat versions because of the improved aerodynamics. Lockheed built 5691 T-33s between 1949 and 1959; the one we saw today was presented in RCAF colours and
performed an excellent display in bright sunshine.
The new multi role helicopter from EH Industries is an impressive machine, big and very quiet. The three Rolls Royce/Turbomeca RTM322-01/8
turboshaft engines can generate speeds of 192mph/309kmh. The aircraft is also nimble as was demonstrated during the display, Operated by Britain, Italy, Denmark and Japan {Tokyo Police}.The display was dynamic and very
enjoyable; we look forward to seeing more from this aircraft during the season. The brightly colour scheme of the YAK-11 was well received by the onlookers and was nicely set off by a variable backdrop of sky; the display
was spirited and agile with a couple of nice top surfaces. Judging by the clicking of the cameras these passes were much appreciated. The Yak-11 is considered the equivalent of the Harvard as an advanced training platform
with over 4000 built in the USSR and Checkoslovakia.
The RAF’s BAe Hawk T.Mk1 jet trainer is the first jet that training pilots fly
and is used for training in specialist areas too i.e. air to air, air to ground and electronic warfare techniques . The Hawk series has been a successful export aircraft for BEA Systems with an impressive customer list including ,
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia , Zimbabwe , Switzerland , Kenya , Malaysia , Indonesia and Oman. The RAF Hawks flown from RAF Valley are the stepping stone to the Tornado, Harrier, Jaguar and Typhoon for training
pilots. These aircraft are regular low flying visitors to the lakes and valleys of the UK. Today’s display was an energetic and fast display that is the hallmark of the Hawk, small fast and agile, a lovely display.
A historic trio put on an excellent display in a 3 plane formation and then a
Hurricane chase display and a singleton P-40 routine. The Curtiss P-40 NZ3009 was built in Buffalo in 1941 for the RAF but was claimed by the US Army after the attack at Pearl Harbour. The aircraft was later handed to 14
Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force and served there for the rest of the war against Japan. Rescued from the scrap yard by a group of teenagers NZ3009 moved on to a museum in Auckland before being purchased by Ray
Hanna. Following a six year restoration she flew again in 1997, now seen in the colours of the “flying tigers” and operated by the Old Flying Machine Company. Hurricane R4118 on its first public display and KZ321 put on and
outstanding chase display, with excellent profile and top surface passes. Low passes showed how an airfield attack would look with the next display birds waiting to taxi and the
Hurricane pair coming in low behind them to bounce them on the ground.
A three Spitfire formation displayed on the Saturday with additional aircraft joining them on the Sunday. Included in the formation was the Spitfire T.Mk
9, star of the television show Spitfire Ace and flown by Carolyn Grace. This plane was built in 1944 as a low altitude fighter and has several kills to its name. Converted to a 2 seat trainer after the war it served with the Irish
Air Corps, coming into private ownership in 1980. Spitfire MH434 of the Old Flying Machine Company, built in 1943 is completely original; this aircraft has also been seen on our TV screens in the movie “the Battle of Britain”
Spitfire BM597 flew with the Polish Squadron in whose colours the aircraft is now displaying. The three Spitfires captivated the crowd and guests alike with a fine display in high cross winds.
The Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 226671 “NO GUTS NO GLORY” owned and
operated by The Fighter Collection flew with the Old Flying Machine Company’s North American P-51D 413704 “FUROUCIOUS FRANKIE” The Thunderbolt was built in 1945 at the Republic plant in Indiana. Details of its
service are not known, but this fighter is a true heavy weight and gained a reputation for taking damage and still getting the pilot home. Ferocious Frankie served in Suffolk during the war and returned to the USA in 1946,
she joined The Fighter Collection in 1980 and was known as Candyman/Moose and has been displaying since 1981. The old Flying Machine Company acquired the plane in 1999 and changed her colours to
those of “Ferocious Frankie”. These two US classics made for a real treat for fighter enthusiasts as they flew in bright skies over Duxford.
The Blue Eagles were represented today by the Westland Lynx and only one of the Aerospatiale Gazelle due to restrictions in the airspace around
Duxford. The team originally formed in 1968 flying 5 Bell 47 G3B1 Sioux. After changes including the disbandment and re forming off the team as a part time volunteer team which it still is. In 1992 the team were equipped
with four Westland Lynx helicopters, but the costs and operational demands on the Lynx led to the reequipping of the team with one Lynx and four Gazelles, and this is the usual configuration we see at UK displays
today. Both machines were put through their paces very nicely with the Lynx performing its trade mark loop several times. The Gazelle flown by WO2 Al Scott put on an individual performance that was almost as good as
the Lynx flown by Capt Neil Bishop and WO2 Ed Smith. The Lynx was also seen as it shuttled the Tornado crew to Cambridge and back before and after the Tornado display.
All in all a very satisfying day with interesting weather as we have come to expect at UK airshow. Our thanks to Tracey Woods and the Duxford team for another great airshow at this historic airfield.
Will Moore / Checksix UK.
Release 4.0/2008
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