11/09/2012
Duxford (Wednes)Day :: 5/9/12
Been a little slow in updating this page due to trips, and others covering the day to day comings and goings at Duxford on a more regular basis than I was.
I am still cataloguing RAF gun camera film from WWII - the film archive found some more at the back of a fridge or cooker or some other domestic appliance. Thought it was finally finished but I find myself back in 1942 again!
Now doing Wednesdays as well as Fridays so will you get twice as much 'coverage'?...
One topic of conversation is the sale of the "Ju 52" and the "Storch" (amongst other items) - it will be sad to see them go, even if they aren't really a "Ju 52" or a "Storch".
The "Ju 52" has been rolled outside recently and was placed on the flightline for the September airshow. I took a couple of photos while it was still on the concrete hardstand up near the AAM.
It looks good enough for this visitor - still I guess the IWM know best....
I am still cataloguing RAF gun camera film from WWII - the film archive found some more at the back of a fridge or cooker or some other domestic appliance. Thought it was finally finished but I find myself back in 1942 again!
Now doing Wednesdays as well as Fridays so will you get twice as much 'coverage'?...
One topic of conversation is the sale of the "Ju 52" and the "Storch" (amongst other items) - it will be sad to see them go, even if they aren't really a "Ju 52" or a "Storch".
The "Ju 52" has been rolled outside recently and was placed on the flightline for the September airshow. I took a couple of photos while it was still on the concrete hardstand up near the AAM.
24/08/2012
19/04/2012
Goodbye ASB....
Been a while since I logged onto the ASB website (Airshowbuzz) so was a bit surprised to find the following message -
Airshowbuzz has flown west
When we launched ASB 5 years ago it quickly became the premier online community for the air show industry. During that time, we have met countless friends from around the world who share our passion for aviation.
While it has been an amazing experience, we ultimately realize our true passion lies in our involvement with the live air show community and doing what we love most, flying. Because of this, we will be closing ASB effective immediately. Moving forward, we will put all our energy towards being part of the wonderful group of family and friends at the live events across the country.
We want to thank all of you for being a part of this great experience and we look forward to seeing you at an air show very soon.
The Horsemen have reduced their online presence to http://horsemenflight.com/
28/09/2011
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...
15/07/2011
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.
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.
08/07/2011
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...
05/07/2011
01/07/2011
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...
24/06/2011
Hawker Fury I K5674 delivered back to DX...
As I was taking some shots of BM597, Hawker Fury I K5674 was dropped off...
20/05/2011
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...
14/02/2011
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.
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!
09/07/2010
21/06/2010
No Horsemen for Legends...
Just had the word that the P-51 Flight Team AKA "The Horsemen" will not be displaying at Flying Legends this year due to other commitments Stateside.This is a real shame as they certainly bring something special to the show and it would have been nice to hear them 'perform' to the new piece of music specially written by the renowned composer James Horner (see earlier video link).
Disappointment can not be disguised...
18/06/2010
Duxford (Fri)day
Could be a scene from Duxford during WWII - from front to back, TD248, PV202, PL344.(Click image for larger version)
Familiar names...
Today I was watching some film from 1942 when a name popped up that rang a bell. F/O Gentile of 133 Sqdn. Target was a FW 190. I wondered if that was the Don Gentile...
I filed that away to ruminate on later and half way through the film another name appeared. F/Lt Blakeslee also of 133 Sqdn engaging FW190's and a Dornier 217. Now that was two names, could this be Don Blakeslee? It was only a few entries later that "Eagle Squadron" appeared after 133 Sqdn, that the names finally dropped into place. The date of this film was 19/8/1942 and a quick search of the internet revealed a page on Wikipedia -
Don Blakeslee - "During the raid against Dieppe, France on August 18, 1942, Blakeslee shot down a further FW-190, and another probably destroyed on the 19th, thus achieving ace status."
There is a possibility that the clip I had just seen was this very "probable" which gave him "ace status".
Also from Wikipedia - Don Gentile - "Gentile flew the Supermarine Spitfire Mark V with No. 133 Squadron, one of the famed "Eagle Squadron" during 1942. His first kills (Ju 88 & Fw 190) were on August 1, 1942, during Operation Jubilee; and he downed an FW-190 and a JU-88 on August 1, 1942.
In September 1942, the Eagle squadrons transferred to the USAAF, becoming the 4th Fighter Group."
I'm sure that there are many more aces and names that slip by unnoticed, but like the recent clip of Paddy Finucane's penultimate mission, famous names tend to jump out a little more readily, and thanks to the resource of the internet, finding out info is only a matter of a few minutes or mouse clicks....
I filed that away to ruminate on later and half way through the film another name appeared. F/Lt Blakeslee also of 133 Sqdn engaging FW190's and a Dornier 217. Now that was two names, could this be Don Blakeslee? It was only a few entries later that "Eagle Squadron" appeared after 133 Sqdn, that the names finally dropped into place. The date of this film was 19/8/1942 and a quick search of the internet revealed a page on Wikipedia -
Don Blakeslee - "During the raid against Dieppe, France on August 18, 1942, Blakeslee shot down a further FW-190, and another probably destroyed on the 19th, thus achieving ace status."
There is a possibility that the clip I had just seen was this very "probable" which gave him "ace status".
Also from Wikipedia - Don Gentile - "Gentile flew the Supermarine Spitfire Mark V with No. 133 Squadron, one of the famed "Eagle Squadron" during 1942. His first kills (Ju 88 & Fw 190) were on August 1, 1942, during Operation Jubilee; and he downed an FW-190 and a JU-88 on August 1, 1942.
In September 1942, the Eagle squadrons transferred to the USAAF, becoming the 4th Fighter Group."
I'm sure that there are many more aces and names that slip by unnoticed, but like the recent clip of Paddy Finucane's penultimate mission, famous names tend to jump out a little more readily, and thanks to the resource of the internet, finding out info is only a matter of a few minutes or mouse clicks....
23/04/2010
09/04/2010
06/04/2010
New crew member...
...Maya.Like Guy Gibson's black Labrador she has a white chest flash, though we went for a slightly less 'controversial' name.
She was born within spitting distance of RAF Attlebridge, USAAF Station 120, and will no doubt accompany me on many future 'missions'....
Chocks away!!....
01/04/2010
11/03/2010
09/03/2010
05/03/2010
23/01/2010
Bomber Command Veterans book signing...
local garden centre...
UPDATE:
£1295 was raised for the Bomber Command Memorial Fund during this event...
18/12/2009
13/12/2009
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