Not so long ago the sight of three or more Mustangs in the air over a UK airshow was not uncommon. Recent years have seen the UK population wildly fluctuate, at points reduced to just two examples regularly participating in airshows. It seems that the rise of the Hurricane and Buchon has outbalanced the American … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2019 11 – Duxford Mustang Gathering September Show
This years Flying Legends brought a number of season highlight but it was the mid-point of the show that brought the real high point for many and an act thoroughly deserving of an airshow moments post, Ultimate Fighters. Since the announcement and associated trailer went live early in the year, there had been high anticipation … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2019 10 – Ultimate Fighters Debut
Carrying on from the previous two posts, today's looks at the impressive collection of USAAF machines on display in the museum from WW2.On arrival to the museum you are greeted by a Curtiss P-40. Once inside you can't help but notice the huge presence of the B-29 Superfortress "Enola Gay" famous for carrying out the … Continue reading Museum Profile: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Part 3 – USAAF WW2
The UK Airshow circuit has been lucky to enjoy a number of Hawker Fury/Sea Furys over the years but rarely have any significant numbers been on the circuit at the same time. The past few seasons have seen Anglia Aircraft Restorations Fury II, Shaun Patrick's R2800 powered T20 and Navy Wings' Centaurus powered T20. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/49078855551/in/album-72157711818073412/ … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2019 9 – Fury trio Duxford September
A key part of the impressive reserve collection housed at the Center is the remarkable collection of captured Luftwaffe machines from WW2. You know its an impressive collection when the most common airframes are an ME163 and Fw190! https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/49244245502/in/photostream/ The ME163 Comet is in incredible condition appearing to more of less have been left "as … Continue reading MUSEUM PROFILE: STEVEN F. UDVAR-HAZY CENTER PART 2 – Luftwaffe Collection
The incomparable atmosphere of Hahnweide will long stick in my mind as one my all time favourite airshow memories. The rolling German hills, combined with the characterful grass runway and warbirds and vintage machines as far as the eye could see. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/48755693942/in/album-72157710902250778/ As part of this years' retrospective airshow moments series I have already focused … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2019 8 – Fokker DR1 Aerobatics
The final museum of my recent US trip was handily placed on the airport boundary that my flight home would be departing from in a few hours time. I spent four hours wandering around the museum soaking in the atmosphere that is something like no other. This was my third visit to the museum and … Continue reading Museum Profile: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Part 1 – WW1 and Interwar Years
The celebrations to coincide with the 75th Anniversary of the Normandy landings in June produced some remarkable moments both in the air and on the ground. Amongst the festivities was a remarkable gathering of C-47s/DC-3s, a type forever associated with the landings, both for their role in dropping troops and towing gliders. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/48014969032/in/album-72157708958168456/ While much … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2019 7 – Old Warden Daks
Unsurprisingly, being the capital the United States, Washington DC is home to a wide array of historic aircraft and great museums. The central point of this is of course the National Air and Space Museum. The museum has two sites, one in the city and another out at Dulles Airport (the Udvar-Hazy centre). While the … Continue reading Museum Profiles: Washington DC
Carrying on the Flying Legends theme now with a look at another unique moment from that show. For the first time in close to 100 years the remarkable sound and sight of an Airco DH9 Bomber took to the air over Duxford. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/48301472202/in/album-72157709687428431/ This restoration has been almost a legend over the past five or … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2019 6 -DH9 Debut
