Duxford :: 17/10/12

Some aerial activity today in the shape of P-51 "Ferocious Frankie" and Spitfire Mk 1 P9374….

Some lucky so-and-so preparing for a jolly...

And some shelf movements from north side...

Windy Wednesday :: 3/10/12

BBMF Spitfire V AB910 was due to be flown to Duxford today for maintenance but the wind obviously kept it tucked up inside it's hangar.
Meanwhile the Ju 52 "Tante Ju" AAC-1 Toucan was rocking in the gusts alongside "Sally B"…

The Ambassador has wings and some of it's tail in place...

The BAC 1-11 "Flying Banana"... 

"Old Fred" is slightly better positioned for photos...

And the Frazer Nash turret from a Wellington completes the lineup...

Remember when we flew these?...

Still one of my favourites...

At your target in front….

…1,500 rounds, go on.


Twilight Tear Machine Gun Sighting and Test

Duxford Days - Bits 'n pieces :: 26/9/12

Here are a few shots from my post lunch ramble around the hangars - stuff from Lambeth…

Tail section from Rudolph Hess' Bf 110...

Nose section of Lancaster I DV372 'Old Fred' with the 'walk though' nose of Halifax A.VII PN323 alongside...

A6M3 Zero...

A6M5 Zero cockpit section...

…and finally, slowly making it's way to the exit via H3, the Storch MS.502 Criquet...

All is revealed (slowly)...

Just in case you missed it elsewhere, among the movements from Duxford is Sea Vampire T.22/XG743/597 which was residing in Hangar 3. Turns out it was snapped up by the Aircraft Restoration Group based in N.Yorkshire.

Duxford (Wednes)Day :: 19/9/12

Not a lot happening today but had a wander - Varsity is in process of being dismantled for transport, Ambassador is waiting reassembly. Other aircraft being pushed and pulled around to fit in...

Ju 52 still sitting out on 'flight line' with Sally B at the moment…

…and a very nice little Carbon Cub 'runaround' parked up in the TFC toy box. I am informed it has a set of extra big tyres as well as those fitted!

A little nose (& tail) art....

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....

Frankie goes flying...

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/

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...