Scorching Duxford

[F3]

This year's Duxford Battle of Britain Air show, held at the w/end was an absolute scorcher in terms of both the weather and the flying. In glorious weather similar to that reputedly experienced 84 years ago the flying display opened with a scenario which could have been from the classic Battle of Britain movie, filmed at Duxford and released in 1968. The airfield was attacked by a lone Messerchmitt Bf-109 (actually a Spanish built Hispano Buchon - as used in the film) that was engagfed by a pair of authentic Spitfire Mk 1s, one of which dispatched it after a thrilling tailchase. Later a section of 4 Hurricanes mounted a patrol over the base but in between we were treated to a couple of the season's best photo opportunities in the Duxford debut of the Lockheed F-35B Lightning, which in the hover evoked memories of the ever popular Harrier, and a repeat of last year's pairing of the Flying Fortress and Lancaster (thankfully in closer formation this time). Other formations flown included a quartet of Bristol Mercury engined aircraft comprising Blenheim, Lysanders and Gladiator, and a trio of ultimate props, comprising Bearcat, Hawker Fury and P-47 Thunderbolt while later highlights included a rare appearance of the Swedish AF Historic Flight's Saab B17 (last seen @ Duxford in 2005) and Flt Lt 'Turbo' Turnbull in the Typhoon. The show's finale was a Big Wing formation comprised of a dozen Spits and four Hurricanes. All in all this was undoubtedly a classic Duxford show and I look forward to visiting again next year.

Dogfight - Spitfire Mk 1 + Hispano Buchon by Michael Britton, on Flickr

F-35B Lightning - DX 14 Sept (1) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

B-17 + Lancasterr - DX 14 Sept (3) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Hurricane formation - DX 14 Sept (1) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Blenheim Lysanders Gladiator - DX 14 Sept (1) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Bearcat start up - DX 14 Sept by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt - DX 14 Sept by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Hawker Fury taxying in - DX 14 Sept by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Saab B17 SwAF Historic Flight - DX 14 Sept 2 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Saab B17 SwAF Historic Flt - DX 14 Sept by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Typhoon 29 Sqn - DX 14 Sept (4) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

[Archer]

I can only agree with the previous post. I went on the Sunday so missed the F-35 display, but it did not dampen my spirits. A wonderful day... only marred by the fact that the light is so bad at a Duxford show, which I had forgotten about. Oh well....

Saab_landing2 by Jelle Hieminga, on Flickr

Staggering by Jelle Hieminga, on Flickr

Buchon by Jelle Hieminga, on Flickr

[F3]

Seems I picked the best day this time. Unlike back in June!

[Archer]

You did. Having seen many photos with lovely blue skies from the Saturday... I'm only slightly jealous. I still enjoyed the show though!