Look out...

Duxford "wildlife"...


Can't seem to avoid getting trampled by the notebook clutching, big lens toting anoraks with back packs of an equal size to their paunches...

F-AZDP

 

When a Skyraider meets a P-51 Mustang, there will only be one winner...

Thankfully, Rob Davies, the pilot of the P-51 in question Big Beautiful Doll bailed out in time...

AAIB (condensed) report on the accident -

P-51D Mustang, D-FBBD and Douglas AD-4N Skyraider, F-AZDP

The pilot of a P-51 Mustang was leading a ‘Vic’ (Vee) formation of three aircraft participating in an airshow at Duxford. On his left was a Douglas Skyraider and on his right was another P-51 Mustang. On a signal from the leader, the formation carried out a ‘break’ manoeuvre to the left. During the left turn the Skyraider and the leading Mustang collided. The Mustang pilot was forced to abandon his aircraft and descended by parachute to a safe landing; the Skyraider pilot was able to land his aircraft at Duxford.

The accident occurred after the Skyraider pilot had lost sight of his leader and continued to make a tighter turn than his leader’s aircraft, which had slowed down. This caused their respective flight paths to converge, resulting in the collision.

AAIB Report

Legends Friday

Ed Shipley (one of The Horsemen) was kind enough to allow a close up look at "Fragile But Agile" to some ASB members during the final preps today (Friday).

"Fragile But Agile" close up

I was pleased to find out it was fitted with a gun camera (my current IWM project right now & "speciality"). The version fitted to "FBA" looks like a Fairchild Aviation 12 Volt Camera Type M4 or 24 Volt N4 rather than the Williamson Manufacturing Co.Ltd. G45 used by the RAF.

One of "February" so she doesn't feel left out...

BM597

Fury in the sun...

Wheeled out for the waiting masses of snaparazzi...

Out of the box...

After weeks stuck in dark containers they have finally been allowed out to spread their wings. Tonight these two "little friends" will spend the night together...

Hawker Fury I K5674 delivered back to DX...

As I was taking some shots of BM597, Hawker Fury I K5674 was dropped off...

Duxford (Fri)Days...

Using HDRtist Pro to tweak some shots taken at Duxford.

Open the pod bay door, HAL...

Some thought the ball turret from Mary Alice might have influenced some elements of Star Wars.

Personally, I think it may

have had earlier influences...

Oops...

Buchon G-AWHE/C-4K-31 had a 'moment' on take off and might need a dab or two of white-out on the port wingtip!

Good news that it was obviously not that bad as it flew a photoshoot later with the other Buchon...

In the air today...

Doing a bit of airy batics over the North Side at DX today...

Waking from winter slumbers...

Been a bit quiet on the old blogging front. Still attending Duxford and working my way through the gun camera film.

My Duxford (Fri)Days photo bimbles have been a little quiet due to hangars at DX being closed for maintenance, but I expect as the weather improves stuff will be aired, so expect to see them again.

My story on the Jolly Duck has resulted in contact from someone in Holland, who had seen the piece and being involved in the research of this aircraft crash, was delighted to find out that there was some footage of the downed aircraft being strafed by the RAF. He has been put in touch with the relevant person at the IWM, so hopefully they'll get a copy of the footage soon.

The Horsemen are coming!

The good news is that The Horsemen are going to be at Flying Legends 2011 and they're bringing their own aircraft!