Despite gloomy skies for most mornings, the last few days provided the first up close warbird encounters for 2020 (aside from the Greek Spitfire's first flight way back in January). https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/50030318002/in/dateposted/ The news of two seat Spitfire flights starting up again felt like a real positive step towards normality and living under the Biggin Hill … Continue reading At last….Warbirds in 2020!
Category: Warbird Stories
‘Lockdown Legends Week 11 – Spitfires
For many years the opening sequence of the Flying Legends show has been the trademark Spitfire tailchase. Typically consisting of 7 or so airframes (though recently as many as 10 or 11) this wonderful mix of Merlin and Griffon engine machines, charting a broad range of the Spitfire lineage. The tailchase typically showcases the Mk … Continue reading ‘Lockdown Legends Week 11 – Spitfires
Lockdown ‘Legends Week 10 – Flying Bulls
A more recent tradition at Flying Legends has been the inclusion of the impressive fleet of warbirds operated by Red Bull known as The Flying Bulls. Up until 2011 these collection of beautifully maintained warbirds had not ventured across the channel. https://warbirdtails.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/p1360287.jpg 2011 saw the Flying Bulls 'Legends collection start, with their P-38 Lightning. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/44984679005/in/album-72157702137798501/ … Continue reading Lockdown ‘Legends Week 10 – Flying Bulls
Warbird Tails Looking Back – June at Old Warden
It's hard to believe we're already in June, though for once at least the weather forecast doesn't look absolutely perfect for flying at the coming weekend. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/28133603295/in/album-72157669047928081/ This week traditionally hosts the second Sunday airshow of the year at the Shuttleworth Collection. This event has followed a number of themes over the years, most notably … Continue reading Warbird Tails Looking Back – June at Old Warden
Lockdown ‘Legends Week 9 – Inter-War Years
For this weeks look at Flying Legends history I decided to look at the regular pre-WW2 sequences that are included in the flying list. Over the years there have been all manner of rare and wonderful machines included in this segment. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/28694819293/in/album-72157669953815633/ 'Legends has built its brand on WW2 fighters and bombers but those graceful … Continue reading Lockdown ‘Legends Week 9 – Inter-War Years
Warbird Tails Looking Back – La Ferté-Alais
Another week of lockdown and this new world gone by and time for another look back at a show many of us would be enjoying this weekend. The annual airshow at La Ferté-Alais near Paris in France is arguably the greatest celebration of flight around the world. The show covers everything from Edwardian pioneer machines … Continue reading Warbird Tails Looking Back – La Ferté-Alais
Lockdown ‘Legends Week 8 – Curtiss Collection
Another week looking back at regular 'Legends slots then. This week its time to take a look at the wonderful selection of Curtiss Hawks that have graced the Duxford flightline over the years. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/49930517861/in/dateposted/ The P-40F is pulled out of the hangar at Flying Legends 2011 with Stephen Grey watching on. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/49007053967/in/album-72157711623364962/ A great topside … Continue reading Lockdown ‘Legends Week 8 – Curtiss Collection
Warbird Tails Looking Back – Duxford Air Festival
As we near the last week of May (hard to believe we are already here!) it's time for another look back at airshow seasons from the past. This weekend would have marked the 2020 edition of the Duxford Air Festival. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/35430854156/in/dateposted/ May airshows at Duxford have been an early season fixture for decades now, originally … Continue reading Warbird Tails Looking Back – Duxford Air Festival
Lockdown Legends Week 7 – Horsemen
A 'Legends retrospective series would be incomplete without a small tribute to the Horsemen. Now a legendary name in the airshow world themselves the Horsemen team specialise in close formation aerobatics. Starting as a two ship display in the mid 1990s, in more recent years the team regularly display in three aircraft. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/45265210064/in/album-72157673758154607/ The team … Continue reading Lockdown Legends Week 7 – Horsemen
Lockdown Legends Week 6 – European “B 17s”
A look at two special 'Legends visitors for this weeks instalment then. Previous posts have looked at visitors from the states and some Russian types that have performed at the show. This week it is the turn of two European machines. One was a one off visitor and the other attended many shows at Duxford … Continue reading Lockdown Legends Week 6 – European “B 17s”
