Duxford Autum Air
Show Oct.
16,
2011
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Location: Imperial
War Museum Duxford,
UK |
Admission:
£24.95 for adults and cheaper prices for students, children and
seniors |
Parking:
Free |
Value:
Excellent |
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The
final air show of the season at the Imperial War Museum Duxford is
the Autumn Air Show, which took place on Sunday October 16, 2011. This
year's theme was Remembering the Korean War. Duxford has a
rich history that dates back to the end of the First World War when
the airfield provided training to newly formed Royal Air Force pilots. Today
it is England's best preserved World War II airfield and one of the
finest aviation museums in the world with its collection of 200 aircraft
on display and over 50 flying aircraft based at the airfield. It
also houses one of the best collections of military vehicles, tanks
and artillery in England.
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The
Autumn Air Show is a 1-day event that is packed with excitement
for enthusiasts and family alike all day. The gates open at
8 AM. Flying display does not start until 1:30 PM, allowing time
to go through several hangars with aircraft on display and to visit
the many vendor tents spread throughout the grounds. Flights
on de Havilland Dragon Rapide, Tiger Moth, T-6 Harvard and Chipmunk were
also offered by Classic Wings before and after the flying display. The
Flight Line Walk was open to the public from 10 AM through 12:30
PM, allowing a closer look at aircraft on static display and those
participating on the flying display.
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The air show also celebrated the 80th anniversary
of the de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth's first flight which took
place on October 26, 1931.
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| The
air display started with the Boeing B-17G Sally B, based at Duxford
and the only B-17 still flying in Europe, representing SB-17s and
RB-17s used in Korea for search and rescue
and aerial photography respectively. It was followed to the air
by The Fighter Collection's (TFC) TF-51D Mustang Miss Welma along with
2 T-6 Harvards. The Sea fury was supposed to also join the
display at this time, but it was replaced by the Supermarine Spitfire
IX. The Gloster Meteor T7 also flew, making its air show debut. Next
it was time to take a break from the Korean War theme and celebrate
80 years of Tiger Moth with the flying demonstration of the Tiger
Nine Display Team with its 9 Tiger Moths in the air.
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| The
RV8tors flew a duo of homebuilt Vans RV-8. With smoke generators
on and impressive close formation aerobatics display, they were
a very nice change of pace from the military hardware present at
the air show.
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| The
heavy metal attraction of the air show was the final display of
the season of the Belgian Air Force demonstration F-16 with its
tight turns, high speed moves and flares deployed.
The next group of aircraft to fly also represented the Korean War: Cessna
L-19 Bird Dog, Piper L-4 Grasshopper, Auster J-1 Autocrat, de Havilland Beaver
and the Yakovlev Yak-18.
The Korean War theme was again interrupted for the flying displays of the especially
marked Shorts Tucano from 72(R) Squadron, RAF Linton-on-Ouse. And the nicely
choreographed Black Cats Lynx pair from 702 NAS, RNAS Yeovilton.
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| The final group of
aircraft to fly in the afternoon again represented types that were
involved in the Korean conflict. The Douglas C-47 flew in formation with the Beech 18.
There was also a formation flight with Douglas AD-4N Skyraider from
Kennet Aviation and the Royal Navy Historical Flight's Hawker Sea Fury.
The North American P-51D Mustang Ferocious Frankie flew together with the
Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX both from the Old Flying Machine Company. The beautiful
Consolidated Catalina also flew. The last aircraft to fly, was
the star of the air show, the North American F-86A from Golden Apple Operations
Ltd. This is a rare machine, being the only F-86A flying today. |
| Throughout
the air show there were a few flights from a Westland Wasp in and
out of the airfield. On static
display were a BAE Hawk, a Shorts Tucano, Stinson L-5 Sentinel, L-4
Cub and a Pilatus PC-12.
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| There
were plenty of parking, food vendors and bathroom facilities. Average
food price was £4 for a sausage sandwich, £2 for drinks
and £2 for ice cream. The air show souvenir program was
sold for £6. It is very detailed and informative.
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| The
air show organization was excellent. Special
thanks to Esther Blaine, Duxford Public Relations Manager, Gabriela
Obluda, Marketing Administrator for their assistance and to Colin
John McInnes flying the Tiger Moth from Classic Wings for the aerial
photos for this article.
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Some of the participants were:
- Boeing B-17G Sally B
- Belgian F-16 Demo Team
- Douglas AD-4N Skyraider
- Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX
- Tiger Moth
- P-51D Mustang Ferocious Frankie
- Consolidated Catalina
- North American F-86A
- BAE Hawk
- and too many others to list.
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Photography and report by
Ricardo von Puttkammer for AIRSHOWSREVIEW LLC
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AIRSHOWSREVIEW LLC All Rights Reserved. |
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