Duxford's September Scorcher

Post by F3 » Mon Sep 18, 2023 10:12 am

Altho' it's many years since I last attended a Duxford show I was drawn to this one by the prospect of seeing B-17Sally B displayed in formation with the BBMF's Lancaster. I gather this was last done 28 years ago but know not where so if anyone can educate me on this I'd be grateful. I went on the Saturday which was a glorious sunny day but had a downside in the very challenging conditions it presented for photography especially early on when this formation displayed. For most of the display the a/c were just silhouettes and in an attempt to produce better images I've resorted to B&W to give an authentic wartime feel. As I've posted one of each I'd be interested in your views on which is best. The formation followed a dramatic opening sequence in which the airfield was attacked by a pair of Buchons, masquerading as Bf109s, which were seen off by a pair of Spitfires. Another pair of Spits (Mk IXs) then gave a polished synchronised display and these were followed by trios of Mustangs and Hurricanes. After such a heavily weighted warbird content we were treated to some jet action in the form of the RNoAF Historic Sqn. Vampire which caused a lady on the crowd line to wonder at the amount of noise produced by such a small a/c. This was the only jet on the programme apart from the Red Arrows. Later highlights were the Naval biplane pairing of Fairey Swordfish and Hawker Nimrod and the pair of Gladiators which made a single pass in formation with the Shuttleworth Anson. By now the sun had moved around to the west allowing better colour photography into the east as illustrated by the Anson pic. This was a very well attended show the international attraction of which was evident from the large number of Dutch enthusiasts present. I even met a party of Finns, one of whom with a fair dab on (S.Yorkshire expression for sweating profusely) inquired whether this was typical September weather. I was able to reassure him that it was nt but I expect he'd have been glad to get back home to cool off! All in all a satisfactory final to a weather ravaged airshow season.

DX - B-17 with Lancaster by Michael Britton, on Flickr

DX - B-17 with Lancaster (B+W) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

DX - B-17 Sally B by Michael Britton, on Flickr

DX - Spirtfire Mk. IXs by Michael Britton, on Flickr

DX - BBMF by Michael Britton, on Flickr

DX - Vic of Hurricanes (1) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

DX - Vampire FB.2 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

DX - Vampire FB.2 display (1) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

DX - Catalina by Michael Britton, on Flickr

DX - Swordfish + Nimrod by Michael Britton, on Flickr

DX - Swordfish + Nimrod (1) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

DX - Avro Anson TX176 by Michael Britton, on Flickr