FighterControl

Saturday was apparently the hottest day of the year and it certainly felt like it at Duxford which served up a memorable air show despite the cancellation of the BBMF due the strong wind @ their Coningsby base exceeding the operating limits of historic aircraft. So it was left to the Typhoon from Coningsby to open the show cleared for approach from crowd rear this season. Unfortunately as no special paint scheme has been authorised it is not the most photogenic subject, especially against a grey sky. The most photogenic subjects among the highlights were the Douglas R4D-6S Ready 4 Duty[ of the Confederate Air Force, which has based itself @ Duxford for its summer visit, and Heliczech's Bell AH-1 Cobra, both of which featured in the dramatic Asian War enactment which segued from Korea to Vietnam with realism provided by the pyrotechnics simulating AAA fire and bomb explosions. The Cobra performing its routine to the chilling Doors track The End was distincly surreal and very much of an Apocalypse Now vibe. Surprisingly during the course of this mini Armageddon, my attention was drawn to a trio of Red Kites at the east (M11) end of the airfield, which were going about their daily lives as tho' it was nothing out of the ordinary, one of which photo-bombed my pic of the Blenheim/Hurricane/Spitfire formation. Another highlight of a Heli heavy display line-up was the AAC role demo featuring a pair of Apaches and a Wildcat which was preceded by the RAF Chinook display. I have to say that this was one occasion when the choppers stole the show!

Douglas R4D-6s by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Wildcat AH Mk1 ZZ390 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Ball AH-1 Cobra = Boeing AH-64 H Apache by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Now that is scary. Bell AH-1 Cobra (1) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Cessna L-19 Bird Dog + Auster by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Auster AOP didges AA fire in the Asian War setpiece by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Douglas R-4D of CAF's Dallas wing by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Spitfire Mk 14 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Bell AH-1 Cobra Gunship by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Early WWII trio by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Blenheim, Hurricane Spitfire + Red Kite by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Chinook lifting Quad bike by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Wildcat Display by Michael Britton, on Flickr

AH-64E Apaches by Michael Britton, on Flickr

AH-64E Apache + Cessna L-19 Bird Dog by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Nice set Michael. I have yet to see Ready for Duty in the air. Also your's isn't a moaning post and glad you enjoyed the day. Those red kites are often about and lovely to see, as long as they stay safe. Thanks for posting.