|
Text: |
Urs Schnyder |
|
Pictures: |
Urs Schnyder & Michael E. Fader |
This year’s
Duxford September airshow was dedicated to the Battle of Britain 75th
anniversary. Due to the special Battle of Britain Day flypasts on the
15th of September organized by Goodwood, the show had to be moved to the
weekend of the 19th and 20th of September. The reason for that was of
course that Spitfires and Hurricanes are precious aircraft that need a
lot of maintenance to keep them in the air. So planning two such big
events without enough time for maintenance in between would have been
overly optimistic. As the Battle of Britain Day is the 15th of
September, it was only the airshow that could change the date.
Tickets for the airshow were only available by advance booking. There
would be no ticket sales on the day. According to Esther Blaine, PR
Manager for IWM Duxford, 20’000 tickets were allocated for each day and
these were completely sold out. At first I thought that 20’000 isn’t
really that much when looking at the airfield. However, as it turned out
and as can be seen from the pictures, the place was indeed full. The
limit was provided by the available parking space. This pre booking was
a result of last year’s Duxford airshow when two Lancasters were
displayed and the area was overrun by interested people.
One of our fears was that the weather could misbehave that late in
September. And indeed, when we arrived in England the weather was
dreadful. Cold and rainy with low clouds. This improved somehow during
the week. However, on Saturday when we got up there were low clouds and
the promise of rain. This fortunately didn’t materialize and the day
stayed dry, the clouds opened up and there was partly blue sky. Sunday
was even better, starting with a cloudless morning. During the day there
were clouds, but they somehow seemed to stay outside of the airfield
boundaries so as if not to interfere with the airshow.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
HRH Edward, 2. Duke of Kent (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
HRH Edward, 2. Duke of Kent (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
When
entering the airfield, one very positive surprise was that there were no
civilian light aircraft parked on the opposite side of the airfield.
This very much helped giving the illusion of an active Battle of Britain
airfield when looking at the pictures. It was possible for the public to
undertake a flight line walk from 9 to 1 to see all the aircraft from a
short distance. This is very popular with the public and adds a bit to
the revenue from the airshow.
The program was similar on both days. The only difference was in the
modern aircraft that flew. It was a pity that the Typhoon and Spitfire
pair only displayed on Saturday, exactly at the time when it was very
cloudy. Altogether there were 21 Spitfires and 5 Hurricanes at Duxford.
The Battle of Britain Begins
The display started with two Hispano Buchons as Messerschmitt 109 and a Nord as a Messerschmitt 108. Hurricanes and Spitfires were scrambled to intercept. The pilots ran to their machines and took off in pursuit. This looked very realistic as the pilots took off directly from where their aircraft were parked. Also the following dogfights with the Hurricane on the tail of the Messerschmitt 108 were very well flown.
Hispano HA-1112 Buchon (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Hispano HA-1112 Buchon (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Messerschmitt Bf-108 Taifun(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
Messerschmitt Bf-108 Taifun andcHispano HA-1112 Buchon (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Messerschmitt Bf-108 Taifun (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Messerschmitt Bf-108 Taifun Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Messerschmitt Bf-108 Taifun (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
Hurricane Mk I R4118 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
Sea Hurricane Mk Ib Z7015 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Attack (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
Hurricane Mk I R4118 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Hurricane Mk XII P3700 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Hispano HA-1112 Buchon (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Hispano HA-1112 Buchon (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Dogfight between Bf108 and Hawker Hurricane(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
Dogfight between Bf108 and Hawker Hurricane(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
Dogfight between Bf108 and Hawker Hurricane(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
Dogfight between Bf108 and Hawker Hurricane(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
Hurricane Mk XII P3700 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Hispano HA-1112 Buchon (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The outbreak of the Second World War
The start of the Second World War was represented by 3 Hurricanes and the only airworthy Bristol Blenheim representing the advanced air striking force in France in 1940.
Bristol Blennheim Mk.I (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Bristol Blennheim Mk.I (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Bristol Blennheim Mk.I (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Bristol Blennheim Mk.I (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Bristol Blennheim Mk.I (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Bristol Blennheim Mk.I and Haeker Hurricanes (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Bristol Blennheim Mk.I and Haeker Hurricanes (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Bristol Blennheim Mk.I and Haeker Hurricanes (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
Crew and Pilots of the RAF 1940 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
Crew and Pilots of the RAF 1940 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
Crew and Pilots of the RAF 1940 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
Crew and Pilots of the RAF 1940 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
Crew and Pilots of the RAF 1940 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
Crew and Pilots of the RAF 1940 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
Crew and Pilots of the RAF 1940 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
Crew and Pilots of the RAF 1940 (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader
The coming of the Second World War
Even before
that was the coming of the Second World War. The different training
biplanes as used in different countries and of course the last of the
biplane fighters like the Gloster Gladiator of the RAF and the Hawker
Nimrod of the Fleet Air Arm. The only monoplane was the Curtiss P-36
Hawk, representing the French Air Force during the Battle of France.
Unfortunately this became unserviceable on Sunday and had to be replaced
by a Curtiss P-40. Not quite appropriate in its desert scheme.
The second part was something quite unique. A De Havilland Hornet and
two gliders symbolizing the means with which many people learned to fly
in the pre war days.
Hawker Nimrod Mk. I (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Hawker Nimrod Mk. II (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Hawker Nimrod Mk. I & II (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Hawker Nimrod Mk. II (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Gloster Gladiator Mk II (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Gloster Gladiator Mk II (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Gloster Gladiator Mk II (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Gloster Gladiator Mk II (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Slingsby Kirby Kite (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Slingsby Kirby Kite (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Slingsby Kirby Kite (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Slingsby Kirby Kite (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
de Havilland Dn-87B Hornet Moth (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
de Havilland Dn-87B Hornet Moth (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
de Havilland Dn-87B Hornet Moth (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Celebrating Victory
A Spitfire
Aerobatic duo showed how attractive an aerobatic team with Spitfires
could be. Something like that could be a real alternative to the current
aerobatic teams. On the Saturday two F-15 Eagles flew in formation with
two Spitfires. Unfortunately the F-15 were so far apart from the
Spitfires that it wasn’t possible to take any pictures. Also on Saturday
only was the pair of Typhoon and Spitfire. The weather was
unfortunately not very cooperative during the display with dark clouds
hiding the sun.
The Jak Aerobatic team also performed on Saturday only, while the
Chinook flew on both days. Only on Sunday there was a fly past of the
red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial flight. The final display
of the day was performed by the red Arrows.
Supermarine Spitfire (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Supermarine Spitfire (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Supermarine Spitfire (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Spitfire and Typhoon (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Spitfire and Typhoon (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Spitfire and Typhoon (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Boeing-Vertoll Chinook (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Boeing-Vertoll Chinook (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Boeing-Vertoll Chinook (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Boeing-Vertoll Chinook (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Hurricane Mk IIc PZ865 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
RAF Pilot in a Hawker Hurricane (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
RAF Pilot in a Supermarine Spitfire (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
RAF Pilot in a Supermarine Spitfire (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Hurricane Mk IIc PZ865 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Hurricane Mk IIc PZ865 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Hurricane Mk IIc PZ865 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Evolving Tactics
This involved the more modern monoplane trainers like the Harvard and Yale.
De Havilland Tiger Moth (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
De Havilland Tiger Moth (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Stanpe SV2C (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Boeing Stearman (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Bücker Jungmeister (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
North American Harvard (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
North American Harvard (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
North American Harvard (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
North American Harvard (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
North American Yale (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
North American Yale (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Boeing Stearman (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
North American Yale (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
North American Yale (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
North American Harvard (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Counting the cost
This was a
solo display of the B-17 Sally B.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight then gave a formation display with
two Hurricanes and three Spitfires.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Target London
Without doubt the highlight of the whole show. Seventeen Spitfires flying in formation. They did several fly pasts in Formation before they split up into two groups flying in a circle on each side of the airfield and beating up the airfield in a spectacular manner. This was just great! After landing, all the Spitfires taxied along the taxiway past the spectators. I have never seen such enthusiastic applause from the audience at an airshow before. And very well deserved it was as well.
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spitfire F Mk.Ia N3200 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spitfire F Mk.Ia N3200 (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Spitfire F Mk.Ia N3200 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spitfire F Mk.Ia N3200 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
Spitfire Tr.9 PV202 (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Spitfire Tr.9 PV202 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe MV293 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spitfire LF Mk.IXe SL633 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spitfire F Mk.Ia AR213 aka P7308 (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Spitfire F Mk.Ia AR213 aka P7308 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spitfire F Mk.IIa P7350. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spitfire F Mk.IIa P7350. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Seafire LF Mk.IIIc PP972 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Seafire LF Mk.IIIc PP972 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Seafire LF Mk.IIIc PP972 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Seafire LF Mk.IIIc PP972 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Seafire LF Mk.IIIc PP972 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Seafire LF Mk.IIIc PP972 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spitfire Tr.9 ML407 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Seafire F Mk.XVII SX336 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Seafire F Mk.XVII SX336 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Seafire F Mk.XVII SX336 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Seafire F Mk.XVII SX336 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Seafire F Mk.XVII SX336 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spitfire FR Mk.XVIIIe SM845 (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Spitfire FR Mk.XVIIIe SM845 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spitfire FR Mk.XVIIIe SM845 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spitfire HF Mk.IXe TD314 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spitfire Tr.9 SM520 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Spitfire Tr.9 ML407 (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Seafire F Mk.XVII SX336 (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader
The Red Arrows from the RAF (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder
The Red Arrows from the RAF (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
The Red Arrows from the RAF (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
The Red Arrows from the RAF (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
The Red Arrows from the RAF (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
The Red Arrows from the RAF (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The Red Arrows from the RAF (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The Red Arrows from the RAF (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
The Red Arrows from the RAF (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder )
To sum up, a
very well organized and memorable show that also had luck with the
weather.
We like to thank Esther Blaine for providing press facilities.