Duxford Airshow - Part Three

The first aircraft to display were the Red Arrows, who delivered the usual exceptional routine. I find it almost unbelievable that the government are considering disbanding them to save money!





Sam has seen the Red Arrows before, as have I, but it seems that their appeal doesn't fade.

In between displays we managed to have even more fun, and Sam tried his hand at "zorbing", with hilarious consequences....

Sam says that his very favourite aeroplane is the Lancaster bomber. He saw one for the first time at the RAF museum in Hendon a few weeks ago. Seeing the sole remaining flying Lancaster for real made his day, as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight put on a crowd-pleasing show.

We just had time to watch a four-ship of Hurricanes whizzing around, before heading back up the A10. Great show Duxford!

Duxford Airshow - Part Two

Continuing along the flight line we found the UK's only remaining serviceable B17 Flying Fortress, the graceful Sally B (above), and a wonderful Catalina flying boat.

The early jets were so varied in design and capability (and safety!), and the Vampire is no exception with its twin boom back end. It's first flight was in 1943 but it wasn't developed quickly enough to take part in the Second World War.

As you can see, Sam looked every inch the seasoned airshow visitor, complete with ear defenders, binoculars, and a very purposefully walk!

A highlight was the lovely collection of Spitfires that were gathered for the weekend.

During the spring we had regularly watched Ice Patrol on Friday nights, featuring HMS Endurance and her adventures in the South Atlantic. So Sam was very happy to find one of Endurance's helicopters right before his eyes.

The American Air Force building at Duxford is seriously impressive. It's flowing, curved design, with inclined walkway around the inside, and glass front wall add up to a lovely looking structure. It houses many iconic American planes, including a B52 bomber, A10 Thuderbolt "tankbuster", Huey helicopter, Phantom, and one of Sam and Dad's favourites, the Blackbird spy plane (below, Sam is standing underneath it). This is a place you must visit.

Further along the museum frontage is the equally impressive Land Warfare hall. Unassuming on the outside, when you enter it becomes clear that this too is an exceptionally well-put together display area. It holds many, many tanks from various periods, most of which are set in life-life dioramas. Again, you must see this for yourself.

RAF Museum Hendon - The Battle Of Britain Hall

Did I mention that it's free entry to Hendon museum? Yes, free. You have to pay to park if you drive there, but I reckon £3.50 is a very, very small price to pay. The Battle Of Britain Hall itself is worth £3.50. Above is Sam reading about the Hurricane. And below is a Messerschmidt 109E, which I think looks menacing and sinister even today. But why did they paint the nose section yellow?

The Stuka dive bomber is just as daunting as the ME109. Being so close to one of these fearsome and terrifying war machines is an uncomfortable feeling. How many people died because of this very plane?

There's an excellent area dedicated to depicting the Blitz, and I am really cross that our best picture was blurry! Not fair.

The Junkers bomber was the one responsible for flattening Coventry, and many other English towns. Despite it's role against us in the war, I think the glass cockpit area is stunning and iconic.

Our answer to the Junkers at the time was the Blenheim. Not a bad aeroplane, but not a patch on the German's bomber.

As well as planes the Battle Of Britain Hall houses vehicles, dioramas (is that the right word?), and there is an hourly film show called Their Finest Hour. It's an atmospheric, edgy, impressive show which is projected onto a screen hung above the aircraft. Lighting is synchronised with the images and commentary, and I found it moving anduplifting. Sam thought the dogfight footage and bombing scenes were great.

The vehicle above is a barrage balloon tether. As soon as he saw it Sam announced that the paint scheme was exactly the same as that of some Dinky RAF vehicles that Grandad gave him once. They now have pride of place on Sam's "museum" shelf of his bookcase. We pondered on why the winch operator would be housed in the cage and decided it was in case of a snapped cable, whipping lethally hither and thither. Were we right?

On the way out of this area there's the chance to walk right through an immaculate Sunderland seaplane. It's fantastic! Here's Sam perched in the doorway.

Finally, here's a poignant photo that Sam took. This display is entitled "An RAF Armourer" and Sam took the picture as a little reminder of Richard, who sadly died last year.