For many decades now, Hangar 2 south (and at times hangar 3 north, at Duxford has been home to some of the rarest and most remarkable warbirds to ever grace the European airshow circuit. The Fighter Collection have provided some of the best memories for warbird fans worldwide with their typically spirited display flying and … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2021 Number 4 – Return of the Fighter Collection
Where do we start on this one? https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/48301358271/in/album-72157709687428431/ Aside from those fighters that are able to "earn their keep" with flight experiences or other commitments, 2020 was a fairly quiet year. Plenty of two seat Sptifires/Mustangs and the Hurricane were kept very busy. There was also a handful of privately owned fighter that got plenty … Continue reading Waiting in the Wings – 2020’s Missing Favourites – The Fighters
The peaceful interwar years conjure up images of silver, shining biplanes looping and rolling their way through clear blue skies thrilling crowds of passers by below. https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/25572711506/in/photolist-8AZZoN-8AZZqs-8AWTFK-8AWTGg-8AWTPc-8AWTPv-8AZZxs-8AZZx3-8AWTMc-8AZZNo-8AZZQh-8AWTAZ-8AWTWt-8AZZv3-8AZZML-8AZZkf-8AZZwq-8AZZPs-8AWTVa-8AWU8i-8AZZmN-8AZZR3-8AZZo5-8AZZrm-8AZZpC-2gjg2bH-8AZZnC-8AWU6X-8AWU2B-8AWTXn-8AWTTz-8AWTZe-8AZZLw-8AWU1a-8AWTLD-8AWTYK-8AZZHy-8AZZSd-8AWTT8-8AWTW8-8AZZAY-8AWTU4-8AZZjL-8AZZDm-8AZZNS-8AZZm3-bv8DYK-qGPScR-EXLQc5-E3nhis As war approached the biplane gradually started to be phased out. Modern monoplane designs were coming to the fore and it seemed inevitable that the biplane would soon … Continue reading Fiat CR42 -Biplane Brilliance
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
In the first few weeks of this series I focused on particular routines or roles in the Flying Legends displays over the years and how they have evolved and change over the shows 20 plus year history. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/49817100097/in/dateposted/ Today I wanted to focus on one airframe that has been hugley important not only to Flying … Continue reading Lockdown Legends Week 4 – Thunderbolt G-THUN
With the always popular news that the Flying Legends dates have been announced for 2020, this seemed an appropriate Airshow Moment to choose. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/48301358271/in/album-72157709687428431/ The joker slot, flown while the traditional finale "Balbo" formation at the end of each day builds up, is one of the highlights of the season. As spectacular as the Balbo … Continue reading Airshow Moments 5 – Magnificent Jokers at ‘Legends 2019
This post marks the fourth Airshow Moments 2017 post to feature a display from a Duxford airshow. This is hardly surprising given the incredible quality of display flying at the venue this past season. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/38605188941/in/album-72157688820126531/ The September show was set to see a pairs display from the Curtiss Hawk 75 alongside the P-40C, a pairing … Continue reading Airshow Moment – Curtiss P-40C at Duxford
This post/series is something I have not revisited since the 2014 advent run but I thought it would be good fun to take a trip down memory lane and remember a few warbirds that have now departed for foreign shores. A large number of the fond memories in this post are aircraft that have passed … Continue reading Ghosts of Airshows Past 4 – Gone But Not Forgotten
The second weekend in July has cemented itself over the years as an incredibly special time of year for historic aviation enthusiasts. It is around this time each year that Duxford in Cambridgeshire begins welcoming all manner of aeroplanes and pilots from all over the world. Together they form what has to be the greatest … Continue reading Flying Legends 2015
It is a shame to start February off on a note of regret, but I didn't feel I could let the passing of US Navy ace Alexander Vraciu on the 29th January go unnoticed on this page. Without the brave men who flew these aircraft we love so much into war, we may very well … Continue reading Warbird People: Lt. Alex Vraciu – Hellcat Legend
Warbird Tails 