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Urs Schnyder |
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Urs Schnyder & Michael E. Fader |
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Big Radial Fighters
The P-47 Thunderbolt was not only the biggest Fighter of the war, it was also the most numerous American fighter built. It was not only used in the fighter role but also for ground attack. The aircraft displaying is one of those aircraft brought back from South America where it had served with the Peruvian Air Force. It first came to Duxford in 1986. In 2007 it went back to the US only to return again in 2018.
The Hawker Sea Fury was a surprise participant not featured in the programme but welcome nevertheless. The Sea Fury saw of course no action in WW2 but was used in the Korean war from Royal Navy carriers. This example was in Prototype colours with yellow undersides.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The North American Mustang
The North American P-51 Mustang came about by combining the airframe with the Rolls Royce Merlin creating the most successful escort fighter for the U.S. Army Air Force. This display consisted of three aircraft, of which Miss Helen actually saw combat over Europe, being stationed in RAF Bodney Norfolk UK with the 352nd Fighter Group. Its present colours are the same it wore when flying from RAF Bodney.
(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)
The Curtiss P-36 Fighter
There are only two Curtiss P-36 airworthy in the world, and both were flying at the airshow. The natural metal P-36C was the last of these fighters that were built. Unfortunately it only flew on Saturday. The other one is actually a Hawk 75 that served with the French Air Force during the Battle of France and later in North Africa. Both these aircraft are owned by the Fighter Collection.
(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)
Over the Water
This Catalina was built in Canada in 1943 and served with the Royal Canadian Air Force during the war. After the war it had a varied career and was used in survey flights, where it received its oversized blisters. It is painted as an aircraft of the US 5th Rescue Squadron based in Suffolk.
The Nimrod is basically a navalised Hawker Fury. Incredibly, this is an original survivor that served with 802 Squadron on HMS Glorious from 1933 to 1938. In 1994 the remains were bought and restored to its current condition.
The Swordfish needs no introduction really. It served trough the whole war and survived its own successor. Its most famous exploit was the attack on the Italian fleet in Taranto harbour. It has been a while that it has displayed in Duxford and one would have wished for better weather.
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader
(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)
Comrade Formation
This is a relatively new formation, having been formed in 2021 after the lockdown. It consists of a Yak-18T four seater from Russia and two Yak-52 that were built in Rumania.
(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 Michael E. Fader)
British Radial Engines
The only two airworthy Gloster Gladiators were flying at the airshow. A Mk I from the Shuttleworth Collection and a Mk II owned by the Fighter Collection. The Gladiator was the RAF’s last biplane fighter and was still used at the beginning of the war. The most successful Gladiator pilot was Pat Pattle who scored most of his victories flying Gladiators in North Africa and Greece.
The Westland Lysander was actually built as an Army co-operation aircraft but was found to be no match for modern fighters. It found a new role in dropping agents into occupied Europe and picking them up again. For this mission it was painted black overall and had an entry ladder to help the agents getting in and out. Both the Lysander and Gladiator were powered by the Bristol Mercury engine.
The Avro Anson was originally built as a trainer, but was used for maritime patrols and other missions. The example flying at the airshow is actually a post war production example. It is powered by two Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah radials.
(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)
The Red Arrows
The Red Arrows in their 59th year were flying their aerobatic routine with only 8 Hawks. Due to the proximity of Stanstead airport they were limited to a rolling show in order not to interfere with the airliners. Even with only 8 aircraft the routine was as we have come to expect, flawless. No doubt, for their 60th anniversary next year they will be back with 9 aircraft and new display figures.
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
The Duxford Big Wing
The Big Wing now seems to be the final act on the Battle of Britain airshows. This time there were 14 Spitfires (15 on Sunday) and 3 Hurricanes forming up for the flypast. Unfortunately there was only one pass due to the weather deteriorating. Due to the prevailing wind from the east, they unfortunately also came out of the sun. As always, the number of aircraft that join the formation is depending on how many are available as there can always be small technical problems that may prevent a machine from flying safely. During the time it took to form up the silver Spitfire Mk XIV played the role of Jester to pass the time.
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(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)
Our thanks go to Sandy Davidson from IWM for providing press facilities.
