Today marks the 100th Anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force. Up until this point what would become the RAF had been the Royal Flying Corps, the aviation element of the Army. This key development shortly before the end of the First World War confirmed the aeroplane's importance in warfare and started a … Continue reading RAF 100 – 10 Decades 10 Types
This May/June marks 30 years since the aerial filming took place for the ITV television series " Piece Of Cake" based on the Derek Robinson Novel of the same name. The show is a classic for any warbird enthusiast with some stunning flying and great characters. Robinson's original novel followed the fictional Hornet Squadron though … Continue reading When Piece of Cake came to Headcorn – 30 years on
Following on from the resounding successful launch by numerous operators of two seat Spitfire flights, along with the exciting prospect of a two seat Buchon in 2018, it is unsurprising that talk of a two seat Hurricane has started to crop up. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/38572374062/in/album-72157688820126531/ Back in October I visited Hawker Restorations who confirmed at that time … Continue reading Warbird People: A Hurricane Built For Two? Hawker Restorations Update
With no main feature for this weekend to post I thought I would share a few images from an enjoyable couple of hours spent at Duxford yesterday. You certainly wouldn't have thought it was only mid-February with the amount of aerial activity and lovely weather, without the breeze it could have even been quite warm! … Continue reading Springlike Duxford in February
The last post in this series took a look at some of the early jet engine designs that were underdevelopment or flown in the second world war. In this instalment lets take a look at some of the more unique designs used during the closing days of WW2 along with some iconic post war jet … Continue reading Aero Engines of History Part 6 – Rockets, Pulses and Post War
2018 marks the end of the 100 year anniversary commemorations of the Great War. Seemingly under the radar the past four years have seen the UK First World War Aviation community grow and diversify across a number of groups. As we approach 100 years of the armistice being signed, I wanted to take a look … Continue reading WW1 100 – Aviation Highlights
I already completed two posts in 2017 taking a look at the history of the Kestrel powered Hawker biplanes as well as detailed history of the airworthy examples in the UK. Alongside the wonderful original quintet of airworthy machines there are also a pair of original Harts in the RAF Museum collection alongside a Hind … Continue reading Hawker Biplane Family Part 3 – Hart Survivors
The news broke last week that long-time Duxford resident and airshow favourite P-51D 'Ferocious Frankie' would be moving on to a new life and new owner in Turkey. The Mustang had been announced as being sold for a few months so it did not come as a surprise that the airframe would be leaving the … Continue reading Pastures New – Farewell to ‘Frankie’
At home in the Milestones hangar at Hendon is B.35 TJ138, the aircraft is displayed in a unique tail up position and wears 98 squadron markings. The aircraft was built at Hatfield and delivered as part of a batch of aircraft between July and November 1945. The aircraft flew with 98 Squadron in West Germany … Continue reading UK Mosquitos Part 6 – B.35 TJ138 RAF Museum Hendon
For the final post of each Warbird Tails advent I try to have a bit of fun with a slightly silly Christmas themed post. I've put together a few Warbird Titles for some Christmas favourites! All I Want for Christmas is U2.... https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/27577542561/in/album-72157669238391171/ Santa (Sopwith) Baby.... https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/26212116005/in/album-72157666655901526/ Rockwell around the Christmas Tree..... https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/27244072340/in/album-72157666837149623/ Fairey Tail … Continue reading Warbird Tails Christmas Eve 2017 – Warbird Songs
