01/11/2017
The "Dragon" goes aloft...
Post lunch saunter today was timed to coincide with PT462 taking someone up for a "jolly". The vigorous arm waving on his approach for landing might have indicated his elation...
NH341 sans Merlin
NH341 "Elizabeth" parked up in the corner of H2N without her engine - cracked sump resulting in oil leak.
Hopefully back in the air soon...
23/10/2017
Many hours of boredom, minutes of sheer terror...
Seeing the 'new' old wooden dispersal hut now in place at Headcorn, had me looking through the batch of photos kindly sent to me by the family of S/L John Niven DFC* of 602/322/485 Squadrons.
One in particular features a very similar wooden hut with some members of the 602 (City Of Glasgow) RAuxAF taking it easy at Kenley in June 1942.
S/L Paddy Finucane was CO at this point, sitting 4th from right, and a month after this photo was taken, he was lost over the Channel returning from sorties against German shipping off Ostend...
When the Aero Legends building is finished, it would be quite an evocative sight to have some well worn armchairs sat out in the sun, a brass/bronze "Scramble" bell hanging from the wall and Spitfires TD314 and NH341 sat within dashing distance...
One in particular features a very similar wooden hut with some members of the 602 (City Of Glasgow) RAuxAF taking it easy at Kenley in June 1942.
S/L Paddy Finucane was CO at this point, sitting 4th from right, and a month after this photo was taken, he was lost over the Channel returning from sorties against German shipping off Ostend...
When the Aero Legends building is finished, it would be quite an evocative sight to have some well worn armchairs sat out in the sun, a brass/bronze "Scramble" bell hanging from the wall and Spitfires TD314 and NH341 sat within dashing distance...
21/10/2017
21.X.17 :: Headcorn Aerodrome - Aero Legends
Took a trip down to Headcorn Aerodrome (formerly RAF Lashenden) to the "Sit-In" event, jointly arranged by "The Two Seat Spitfire Page" and Aero Legends, operators of Spitfire T9 NH341 "Elizabeth" and MkIX TD314 "St. George".
Interesting talk from Nick Oram about the history of NH341 and TD314 and some of the pilots who flew NH341 while she was with 411 Sqn RCAF. Flt Lt Anthony "Parky" Parkinson MBE was also on hand (having flown "St. George" down to Headcorn today) to do a Q&A session and share his experiences flying with the BBMF and The Red Arrows.
The base for the event was Aero Legends newly acquired WW2 era wooden "dispersal/scramble" hut, obtained from the former RAF Bridgnorth station, and now in situ at Headcorn. Apart from a few finishing touches, once completed, the hut will provide a place for participants and visitors in the various flying packages to be briefed and relax. It certainly came in handy with the heavy downpours that were blowing through!
Unfortunately NH341 developed an oil leak due to a cracked sump and the engine has been removed a few days previously, so the winner of the "Fly-In-NH341" draw will have to wait until the 2018 season. It wasn't me... :o(
The event was well attended and even though the weather gods were doing their best with "Brian" heading towards Kent, the sun did shine for a good part of the day and for the Merlin engine run.
Interesting talk from Nick Oram about the history of NH341 and TD314 and some of the pilots who flew NH341 while she was with 411 Sqn RCAF. Flt Lt Anthony "Parky" Parkinson MBE was also on hand (having flown "St. George" down to Headcorn today) to do a Q&A session and share his experiences flying with the BBMF and The Red Arrows.
The base for the event was Aero Legends newly acquired WW2 era wooden "dispersal/scramble" hut, obtained from the former RAF Bridgnorth station, and now in situ at Headcorn. Apart from a few finishing touches, once completed, the hut will provide a place for participants and visitors in the various flying packages to be briefed and relax. It certainly came in handy with the heavy downpours that were blowing through!
Unfortunately NH341 developed an oil leak due to a cracked sump and the engine has been removed a few days previously, so the winner of the "Fly-In-NH341" draw will have to wait until the 2018 season. It wasn't me... :o(
The event was well attended and even though the weather gods were doing their best with "Brian" heading towards Kent, the sun did shine for a good part of the day and for the Merlin engine run.
16/10/2017
16.IX.17 : Spitfire T9 PT462 H2N DX
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| Going to be an even more regular sight now... |
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| Will be sad to see this space empty before long... |
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| Fury squatting in MH434's usual spot... |
13/10/2017
Carolyn Grace retires/ML407 Supporters Group ends...
Having just returned from a few days away, I was saddened to open a letter from Carolyn Grace announcing that she has taken the hard decision to bring to an end the "Grace Spitfire Supporters Group", due partly to diminishing membership.
She has also decided to end her flying career - ML407 will of course continue to operate with Richard Grace at the 'stick'.
I've been glad to help support, in the little way I have, the operation of ML407 and hope she continues to grace the skies for many more years.
Enjoy your retirement Carolyn.
She has also decided to end her flying career - ML407 will of course continue to operate with Richard Grace at the 'stick'.
I've been glad to help support, in the little way I have, the operation of ML407 and hope she continues to grace the skies for many more years.
Enjoy your retirement Carolyn.
09/10/2017
Another T9 for Duxford
Spitfire PT462 / G-CTIX has been sold to the Aircraft Restoration Company and is joining their fleet at Duxford.
28/09/2017
25/09/2017
Spitfire T9 quartet...
With another T9, PT462, tucked up in H2N, there were five of the eight UK-based airworthy two seat Spitfires, all on one airfield at the same time...
Here is a short video of the others, ML407, PV202, SM520 and NH341 taxiing out...
T9s Taxi from warbirdskies on Vimeo.
Here is a short video of the others, ML407, PV202, SM520 and NH341 taxiing out...
T9s Taxi from warbirdskies on Vimeo.
24/09/2017
24.IX.17 - DX BOB Show
Overall a good end to the season. A few gaps in the programme due to the strong crosswind and a obvious lack of Mustangs after yesterday's nibble on the tail of Miss Helen by Sharkmouth.
The sight of six Hurricanes all in one patch of sky was something to behold - a few years back we'd be excited at the sight of two!!! And a thirteen Spitfire tail chase was awesome to hear and see.
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| RNHF Sea Fury T.20 |
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| Norwegian AF Historical Sqn MiG15 UTI Red18, Vampires FB52 and T55 |
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| Blenheim Mk1, 3xMk1 Spitfires, 5xHurricanes and Gladiator |
18/08/2017
DX 18.VII.17 - not all Spitfires grounded...
PV202 was still operating today as were other civilian operated Spitfires. Hopefully BBMF will sort out their issues soon.
In H2N Sea Fury FB11 G-CBEL was roosting alongside Hurricane Mk1 P2902 - Hawkers first piston engined monoplane and their last...
In H2N Sea Fury FB11 G-CBEL was roosting alongside Hurricane Mk1 P2902 - Hawkers first piston engined monoplane and their last...
12/07/2017
DX 12.VII.17 - catch up
Couple of photos from today and from Saturday…
Clipped wing Spitfire
Clipped wing Spitfire
"Casualties" from the weekend...
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| A very nice Morris Minor van all the way from Oz... |
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| Good to see SimplySpitfire's MK805 back on duty... |
09/07/2017
Miss Velma forced landing
Reports of Mustang TF-51D Miss Velma suffering engine failure and having to make an emergency landing in the field on the opposite side of the M11 while displaying at FL17. Pilot okay. Aircraft damaged and reports are her landing gear was down - image on Twitter shows her on her belly so not sounding good for levels of damage.
UPDATE: MV recovered back to H2 at Duxford via low loader and the A505 - photo online of her on her 'legs' outside the hangar - damaged wings, prop, airscoop, broken canopy - hopefully the landing gear got tucked up before impact. Wonder if the relatively flat field full of wheat acted as a 'cushion' reducing damage?
Sad news to hear on the 10th anniversary year of her arriving at Duxford after her trans Atlantic crossing.
Not a good weekend for Mustangs that have flown over the "Pond"…
Hopefully the damage can be repaired soon and she can return to flight…
UPDATE: MV recovered back to H2 at Duxford via low loader and the A505 - photo online of her on her 'legs' outside the hangar - damaged wings, prop, airscoop, broken canopy - hopefully the landing gear got tucked up before impact. Wonder if the relatively flat field full of wheat acted as a 'cushion' reducing damage?
Sad news to hear on the 10th anniversary year of her arriving at Duxford after her trans Atlantic crossing.
Not a good weekend for Mustangs that have flown over the "Pond"…
Hopefully the damage can be repaired soon and she can return to flight…
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| Credit: Paul Tolliday: Blue Sky Aerial Services |
Hopes shattered...
I had been looking forward to seeing The Horsemen routine with the P-51B Berlin Express but sadly they cancelled their slot on Saturday due to the canopy on the P-51B shattering as Nick Grey flew her on a fast pass along the airfield.
Thankfully Nick landed and some damage resulted to the tail surfaces - the Malcolm Hood sadly ended up in a thousand pieces over the airfield.
After a journey of nearly 5000 nm across half of the US and large expanses of ocean without missing a beat, BE was due to be a highpoint for myself at FL17.
Hopefully I will be able to catch her in the air before she returns to Texas.
Thankfully Nick landed and some damage resulted to the tail surfaces - the Malcolm Hood sadly ended up in a thousand pieces over the airfield.
After a journey of nearly 5000 nm across half of the US and large expanses of ocean without missing a beat, BE was due to be a highpoint for myself at FL17.
Hopefully I will be able to catch her in the air before she returns to Texas.
08/07/2017
Flying Legends 2017 - Saturday
Some photos from todays air show…
Starting with the 357th Fighter Group 'pair' - Frenesi and Berlin Express
Starting with the 357th Fighter Group 'pair' - Frenesi and Berlin Express
05/07/2017
BE @ DX
On my way in today I stopped for a quick photo of Berlin Express on the ground - bumped into Rob Brindley (former Airshowbuzz member and one of the Virtual Horsemen) and had a catch up...
Later in the afternoon managed a look "behind the rope" at Frenesi…
Thanks Rob!
Later in the afternoon managed a look "behind the rope" at Frenesi…
Thanks Rob!
04/07/2017
Berlin Express passes by - nearly there...
On the 10th anniversary of the flight of Miss Velma over the "Pond", P-51B Berlin Express +1 passed by close enough to get some shots…
10 years of Warbirdskies
Ten years ago my first post was the arrival overhead of TF-51 Mustang "Miss Velma", flown by Ed Shipley after a Trans Atlantic crossing, as he covered the final miles to Duxford - Miss Velma - nearly there
03/07/2017
Heading home...
Just managed to catch PA474 as she headed north, returning to base?
Apparently just an air test, as Flightradar24 showed her doing several circuits north of Cambridge before returning to Duxford…
Pt II
Rumbled overhead again this evening at about 1700hrs heading home...
Apparently just an air test, as Flightradar24 showed her doing several circuits north of Cambridge before returning to Duxford…
Pt II
Rumbled overhead again this evening at about 1700hrs heading home...
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