Flying Legends 2010, Duxford (49 pics)

[Joe Kurr]

Last Saturday I visited the biggest warbird show in Europe: Flying Legends at Duxford.

It was an experience like no other.

 

Since the flying programme didn't start until 14:00, I decided to visit The Fighter Collection and take a look in the museums.

At the TFC office I met Bev, and had a nice long chat with her :)

A bit too long, because in the end I was only able to visit the USAF museum, so now I have to go back next year to see the rest.

 

Taking pictures in the USAF museum is nearly impossible, the building is literally full of aircraft. If they want to add more in the future, they'd have to expand the building...

 

#1. Right where I came in I had my first encounter with an SR-71

 

#2. An F-111 was shoved under the balcony in the back

 

#3. This A-10 could be photographed relatively well

 

#4. As was this F-4

 

#5. The F-15 outside has a lot more space :)

 

After this quick visit I went back to my spot along the fence to see some flying activity (arriving visitors, pleasure flights, etc)

 

#6. This Royal Army Gazelle came as quite a surprise

 

#7. People were taken on sightseeing flights in Tiger Moths

 

#8. At 2 PM eight Spitfires roared into the sky opening the airshow programme

 

#9. Low and fast, right in front of the crowd, what a sight!

 

#10. Six Spitfires passing in formation

 

#11. Although the sun is in your face for most of the day, it can result in quite nice backlit pictures

 

#12. When we were looking the other way, this Seafire came in low

 

#13. While the Spitfires were coming in to land ...

 

#14. ... The Seafuries took off

 

I can go on like this for quite a bit more, because of the shear number of great photo opportunities and the number of aircraft.

Below are some random shots of the show.

 

#15. A Buchon (Bf.109 with a Rolls Royce Merlin engine)

 

#16 + #17. I had never seen a Skyraider before, here were three!

[Joe Kurr]

Part 2:

 

#18 + #19. TFC's newly restored Bearcat

 

#20. Finally an F-4U Corsair without Red Bull markings

 

#21 + #22. Although it's a regular visitor at other European shows, this Ju-52 is always a nice sight

 

#23. The P-51s started to get a bit boring, after flying the same figure of eight time and time again

 

#24. Fortunately this B-17 'Sally B' came in to stir things up a bit

 

#25. The P-51s left the B-17 on its own for too long, resulting in the loss of two engines

 

#26. But in the end all was well again :)

 

#27 + #28. The 'Russian Hour', with a Yak-3UA

 

One of the highlights of the show was a Polikarpov I-16 'Rata'

 

#29. The gear has to be manually retracted, which takes ages ...

 

#30. But when it is finally up, the I-16 can go quite fast

 

#31. Unfortunately it didn't show its full potential, only some lazy turns an some rolls

 

#32 + #33. Forward visibility while flying the I-16 is poor, but on the ground the pilot is completely blind

 

#34 + #35. Here are some British biplanes, can't remember what types (I'm more into jets than props...)

 

#36. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight can't miss this show

[Joe Kurr]

#37. The Wingwalkers came in while the commentator was telling a story about Barnstormers

 

#38. What would be going through the girl's minds?

 

#39. Nice lines :)

 

#40 + #41. The Norwegian DC-3 Dakota flew a very nice display

 

#42 + #43. While the DC-3 was still flying, this Morane-Saulnier started its display

 

#44 + #45. Mass-takeoff for the Balbo formation at the end of the show

 

I don't have any decent pictures of the Balbo itself, since the lens I had on my camera was too big for this kind of formations.

But a mass formation with 24 warbirds is a very impressif sight (and sound!)

 

#46. A Spitfire leaves the runway as the Buchon is coming in to land

 

#47. This Spitfire was parked along the taxiway (overheated engine?) while the Mustangs come in overhead

 

#48. It can get quite hot in the cockpit with this kind of weather

 

#49. After the show the two Dutch DC-3s went back to Rotterdam

 

One thing is certain: I will be back next year!

[Avilator]

Thank you! This is one place I must visit before I die! But, seeing as how I'm a college student, on the other side of the pond, it might take me a while to get there. Well, at least I have time.:)

[L4key]

Awsome! Apparently I have to spread some rep around... :mad:

[Griffin]

Awesome! You lucky guy! The #9 picture is especially great! Any chance of HiRes of that one?

[Joe Kurr]

You mean this one? :)

 

[Griffin]

Hell yeah! Thank you!

[Ross-impress]

Very nice shots, mooi werk !! :thumbup:

[Vekkinho]

Great pics, Thanks!

[G3]

great pics as always, almost feels like i was there :thumbup:

thanks for sharing

[Yo-Yo]

A little bit more

[Yo-Yo]

..

[Joe Kurr]

The Seafury is nice!

Looks like you were in a good spot for the flightline.

[Yo-Yo]

The Seafury is nice!

Looks like you were in a good spot for the flightline.

 

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Edited July 15, 2010 by Yo-Yo