England 2017 - Imperial War Museum

ENGLAND 2017
~IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, DUXFORD~

On monday July 3rd I visited Duxford for the hangars at the museum and see if some action was going on in preparation for the air show, the following weekend. I knew full well that I wouldn't have time to visit the hangars during the air show and the crowds were likely to be considerable.
This scenario worked very well for me.
This visit made it more clear for me that we see a gathering of forces here, there's the Imperial War Museum, The Fighter Collection, Aircraft Restoration Company and the Historic Aircraft. Planes are on permanent display, flying, in maintenance or in storage for long-term restoration. Both from a military background as well as civil aviation one will find.
Plenty to see and experience!

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
deHavilland DH.9, D5649

Imperial War Museum (IWM), 2017
In AirSpace one can get up-close to some of the most famous aircraft in the world, including the Lancaster,
Spitfire, Concorde and Vulcan. Aviation from all ages. A Short Sunderland MR.5 in the foreground.

Imperial War Museum (IWM), 2017
Avro Lancaster, K889 NA-I

Imperial War Museum (IWM), 2017
Avro York G-ANTK

The Avro York was a long-range transport that was designed to use the same wings, engines, undercarriage, and tail unit (with a 3rd fin added) as the Lancaster bomber.
'TK was built at Yeadon and was rolled out in January 1946. It entered RAF service with No.242 Squadron as MW 232 that August, being based for a time at Oakington.
In May 1947 it moved to No.511 Squadron at Lyneham, and was used on trooping and cargo flights, including many to the Far East. In 1948/49 it was used on the Berlin Air Lift operation, and had the distinction of carrying the 100,000th ton of supplies into the city!
It suffered an undercarriage collapse during a landing there, in January 1949, but was repaired and put into storage.
In 1950/51 it was used by Fairey Aviation for in-flight refuelling trials, before being put back into storage awaiting disposal.

In 1954 it was bought by Dan-Air and registered G-ANTK.
It was based firstly at Blackbushe and then at Gatwick, and was used mainly on long-range freight charters to Africa and the Far East, including many flights under an MoD contract to the Woomera Rocket Range in Australia. It was finally retired at Lasham in April 1964.
It was fitted with bunks and used for a time by Scouts as their headquarters...
In 1974, with the aircraft deteriorating badly through standing outside, a group of Dan-Air engineers began restoring the aircraft in their spare time; but this proved difficult because of the limited time which they could devote to the job, and eventually Dan-Air offered both the York and their Airspeed Ambassador to the DAS on long-term loan for restoration and preservation at Duxford.
The York was moved by road to Duxford on 23May1986 and after a complete restoration (which took 20 years!),
it was given an official roll-out before being moved into the new AirSpace building where it is now permanently on display.
das.org.uk/avro-york-g-antk

Imperial War Museum (IWM), 2017
De Havilland DH106 Comet 4, G-APDB [das.org.uk/...g-apdb]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_War_Museum_Duxford

en.wikipedia.org:_List_of_aircraft_at_the_Imperial_War_Museum_Duxford

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Vintage (WW2) ATC Tower at Duxford

We move to the British Airliner Collection
das.org.uk/the-british-airliner-collection

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Airspeed Amabassador, G-ALZO

'G-ALZO was delivered to BEA on 25Nov1952, who named it 'RMA Christopher Marlowe'.
It was operated by BEA until June 1958, then it was stored at Cambridge awaiting disposal.
In 1960 it was purchased by the Jordanian Air Force, for use on VIP and transport flights, based at Amman.
In 1963 it was purchased by Dan-Air and was used to carry both passengers and freight, having been fitted with a rear fuselage cargo door by Marshalls of Cambridge. |
On 28Sep71 it flew from Jersey to Gatwick, the last scheduled flight operated by an Ambassador; and the next day it flew from Gatwick to Rheims and back on a special charter flight.
Its last flights were to Zagreb on Oct. 02nd with a replacement engine for a BAC 1-11, returning the following day. It was then retired to the Dan-Air maintenance base at Lasham.
It remained there until 1986, when it was donated to the DAS. And it was subsequently dismantled and transported by road to Duxford, where a long-term restoration began.'
das.org.uk/airspeed-ambassador-2-g-alzo/

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Vickers V.701 Viscount, G-ALWF
During 11-22Jan 2019 G-ALWF received in the Airspace building a full repaint and reappeared shiny new!

'The Viscount was designed as a successor to the piston-engined Vickers Viking. It was the world's first turbo-prop powered airliner, and the prototype made its maiden flight in July 1948.
This aircraft was used for a few passenger flights to Paris to test the market's reaction to this new, quieter, more comfortable way of flying, long before scheduled flights began.

G-ALWF was the 2nd production aircraft and was slightly larger than the prototype. It made its 1st flight in Dec.1952 and was handed over to British European Airways in Feb.1953, fitted with 40 seats in an all-first class interior. This was later changed to a 63-seat high density layout.
das.org.uk/vickers-v701-viscount-g-alwf

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Bristol Type 175 Britannia 312, G-AOVT

'Known as the 'Whispering Giant' because of its extremely quiet engines, the Britannia was the world's 1st turbo-prop-powered large passenger transport aircraft.
BOAC was the only customer for the Series 102 version and it received the first two of its order for 15 aircraft in Dec.1955. Engine intake icing problems delayed the Britannia 102's entry into service, but flights to Johannesburg eventually began on 01Dec57.
A stretched version of the Britannia was developed with 3 possible cabin configurations (all passenger, mixed passenger and freight, or all-freight) and also long-range models with increased fuel capacity, thus enabling them to operate non-stop flights in both directions across the Atlantic.
BOAC ordered 18 of the long range aircraft, designated Series 312s, and began services between London and New York on 19Dec57.

'VT was the last of BOAC's Britannia 312 fleet to be delivered, arriving at Heathrow on 01Jan59, after having its cabin furnishings and seats installed by Marshalls at Cambridge.
When BOAC retired its Britannia 312s, 'VT was purchased by British Eagle International Airlines in Sep.'63.
'VT was bought by the newly-formed Monarch Airlines in May 1969 and based at Luton Airport. It was used mainly on holiday package tour flights throughout Europe.
It was donated to the DAS for preservation and made its final flight to Duxford on 29Jun75.'
das.org.uk/bristol-type-175-britannia-312-g-aovt

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Handley Page HPR7 Dart Herald, G-APWJ

'Whiskey Juliet' was built at the Handley Page factory at Radlett, Herts, the 10th Herald 201 off the production line. Its 1st flight took place on 29May63.
By 1985 'WJ was the only Herald being operated by Air UK, all of its others having been retired and replaced by Fokker F.27 Friendships.
'WJ was donated to the Duxford Aviation Society (DAS) for preservation, and made its final flight from Norwich to Duxford on 07Jul85. It carried a full load of Air UK employees, and the flight took just 30 minutes.'
das.org.uk/handley-page-hpr7-dart-herald-g-apwj

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Vickers Super VC10 Type 1151, G-ASGC

'The VC10 was built in two versions - the Standard VC10 and the larger Super VC10. 18 of the Standards and 22 Supers were built for use by airlines, and 14 C.Mk 1s were supplied to the RAF for use by Transport Command as mixed passenger and freight aircraft.
G-ASGC was built at Weybridge as the 3rd of 17 Super VC10s ordered by BOAC in addition to its 12 Standard VC10s.
'GCs 1st flight was on 01Jan65 and handed over to BOAC-Cunard on March 27th. Four days later it entered service on the North Atlantic route. The BOAC-Cunard partnership was dissolved in 1966.
'GC was donated to DAS, and was flown to Duxford on 15Apr80. Its landing here was its 16,415th, and it had flown a total of just under 54,623 hour.'

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Hawker Siddeley H.S. 121 Trident 2E, G-AVFB
Operators: BKS/Northen Airlines, British Airways, British European Airways, Channel Airways.

'FB was the second of 15 Trident 2Es ordered by BEA. It made its 1st flight at Hatfield on 02Nov67.
When donated to the DAS, it was flown to Duxford on 13Jun82. It had then flown a total of 21.642 hours and made 11.726 landings.
Work then began to prepare the aircraft for opening to the public. In 1990 'FB was repainted in its original BEA 'Red Square' livery.
das.org.uk/

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
B.A.C. One-Eleven Series 510ED, G-AVMU
Operators: British Airways, American Airlines, Braniff Airways, British United Airways.

' It made its 1st flight on 19Jan1969, and was delivered to BEA.
'MU was eventually withdrawn when BA retired its 1-11 510s and they were all flown to Hurn airport, and stored awaiting disposal. Their BA titles had all been painted over.
It was eventually selected for preservation and donated to the DAS, and made its final flight to Duxford on 04Mar93.'
das.org.uk/.....g-avmu/

A glimpse into the hangar of The Fighter Collection, one of IWM's flying partners.
Skilled engineers maintain and restore these remarkable aircraft. Alas for me, the hangar was barred for
visitors and I have only photos from both ends of the hangar.

Imperial War Museum (IWM), 2017
Curtiss P-40C Warhawk (G-CIIO) - '39-160' (Manufactured 1941)

"The Fighter Collection is a private operator of airworthy vintage military aircraft or warbirds. It is based in the United Kingdom at Duxford Aerodrome in Cambridgeshire, an airfield that is owned by the Imperial War Museum and is also the site of 'the Imperial War Museum Duxford'.
The Fighter Collection is owned by (and founded by) Stephen Grey, a businessman and former RAF pilot domiciled in Switzerland.
The aircraft are stored and maintained in Hangar 2 at Duxford Aerodrome; the hangar is accessible to visitors of the Imperial War Museum."
en.wikipedia.org:_The_Fighter_Collection

Imperial War Museum (IWM), 2017

Noorduyn Mk.IIb Harvard, FE695 (G-BTXI) - manufactured in mfr 1942.

'The Fighter Collection’s Harvard was built in December 1942 as an Mk.IIb by Noorduyn Aviation in Montreal, Quebec. She was allocated the RAF serial FE695 and served with the Royal Canadian Air Force training Commonwealth pilot trainees well out of the reach of enemy aircraft under the auspices of the Empire Air Training Scheme. FE695 wears the colours she wore during the latter war years in Canada giving tutelage to Commonwealth pilot trainees with the individual aircraft number ’94’.
Harvard FE695 was brought on charge in December 1942 with No.1 Training Command, and provided sterling service across Eastern and Central Ontario until November 1945 when she was placed into storage at Dunnville with 1449:30 hours logged on the airframe. FE695 was struck off by the RCAF in June 1947.
Following refurbishment she was taken on charge by the Swedish Air Force under the type designation Sk-16A with the individual identity Fv16105. Fv16105 served as an advanced trainer with the Swedish Air Force from August 1948 right up to March 1972 when she was given to a Technical School as an instructional airframe.
FE695/Fv16105 joined The Fighter Collection during 1990 and was subjected to a thorough overhaul between 1991 and 1995 and returned to the air over Duxford during May 1996.'
fighter-collection.com

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
In the back, behind the 2 Spitfires with black/white undersides, we see Hawker Sea Fury T-20G, coded
WG655 (G-CHFP, mfr 1951). I noticed an online remark (May 2017) "TFC's WG655 is getting an R-2800; ain't really
a Sea Fury any more then, is it?!" But apparently it is only a temporary fix until the proper engine is overhauled. (Aug.2017).
fighter-collection.com
Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
A better look at the Hawker Sea Fury, ready it seems to have an engine attached (again?).

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Grumman F8F Bearcat, 'BuNo.121714 201/B', also in the hangar of The Fighter Collection (one of IWM's
flying partners. Some splendid aerial photos of 201/B on my Flying Legends 2017 page!

History: Delivered to U.S. Navy as 121714
- BoC: circa 1945
- SoC: circa 1955
Ed Maloney/The Air Museum, Claremont, CA (later Chino, CA), 1957-1972
- Registered as N4995V
Harold 'Bubba' Beal & Charles 'Chubb' Smith/B & S Advertising Inc, Knoxville, TN, 1972-1998
- Registered as N700H, 1977
- Registered as N700HL, Jan. 1981
- Operated by The Fighter Collection, Duxford, UK, June 3, 1981-1998
- Delivered from U.S. to Geneva
- Flown as VF-11/S-100
Patina Ltd/The Fighter Collection, Duxford, Mar. 20, 1998-2005.
- Registered as G-RUMM.
- Repainted, now flies as USN/121714/201B.
From: www.warbirdregistry.org/f8fregistry/f8f-121714.html

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Bristol Mk.1C Beaufighter JM135 A19-144, here in the hangar of The Fighter Collection (@Imperial War Museum
Duxford), undergoing a lengthy restoration (engine issues a.o.). Owned by The Fighter Collection at Duxford.
It is a composite aircraft built using parts from JM135/A19-144 and JL946/A19-148. [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Beaufighter]

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Beech D-17S Staggerwing, G-BRVE

'This Staggerwing was built at the Beechcraft facility in Wichita, Kansas in 1943 whereon she was delivered to the US Navy as a Model GB-2 and allocated Bu No 23689. However, under the Lend Lease Program, she was immediately shipped to the UK and delivered to the Royal Navy as Traveller Mk.I FT475, where she was based at the Royal Naval Air Station Donnibristle, Scotland with 782 Sqn.
In the UK the Staggerwing was utilised as both a high speed light transport and reconnaissance aircraft.
After the war she returned to the US Navy as BuNo. 32874 and there are also indications that she was allocated the US Air Force serial number 44-67724 before passing into civilian ownership where she carried the registration N1193V.
In 1990, registered G-BRVE, this Staggerwing crossed the ‘Pond’ once more to join Pink Floyd front-man Dave Gilmour’s growing aircraft collection at North Weald, Essex!
She subsequently passed on to another UK operator in 2000, where she remained for 5 years before joining 'The Fighter Collection' fleet in 2005.
fighter-collection.com

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Handley Page B.1A Victor, XH648. This is Hangar 5, I believe.

Victor XH648 was originally built as a B1 model. Its 1st flight was on 27Nov59 and it was delivered to No.57 Squadron at Honington on Dec. 21st that year.
In October 1960, it returned to Handley Page at Radlett, Hertfordshire for conversion to a B1A status.
On 23Jun75, Victor XH648 was transferred to No.57 Squadron, based at RAF Marham, where it supported the Squadron’s final year as a Mark I tanker squadron.
It was retired to Duxford on 02Jun76.
I have fond memories of visiting RAF Marham ca.1977, touring past USAF & RAF bases with a friend on bicycles.

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
www.iwm.org.uk/support-us/donate-now/conserving-the-handley-page-victor-xh648

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Avro MR.3 Shackleton, XF708
The Shackleton (along with the Victor) are on the long term restoration by IWM, which is why she was put
indoors (2013?) and finally out of the elements. Awesome projects, but if anyone can do it...?!!

This aircraft, XF708, served with No.201 Squadron, RAF Coastal Command, from 1959 to 1964.
It then joined No.120 Squadron. From 1968 to 1972 it served with No.203 Squadron. It was based first in Northern Ireland, and then from 1969 to 1972 at RAF Luqa in Malta.
It was aquired by the IWM and flew to Duxford on 22Aug72. By then, the aircraft had flown over 6.500 hours and made nearly 2.500 landings.
www.flickr.com/photos/...
en.wikipedia.org:_Imperial_War_Museum_Duxford (incl descriptions var types of hangars)
en.wikipedia.org:_Avro_Shackleton
www.avroshackleton.com

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
CASA 2-111B B.2I-103 / Spanish Air Force licence-built Heinkel He.111 with Rolls-Royce Merlin engines.
Composite of mainly B.2I-103 with tail section of B.2I-27.

en.wikipedia.org:_List_of_aircraft_at_the_Imperial_War_Museum_Duxford

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Handley Page Halifax BVII

The Handley Page Halifax was the 2nd of Britain's four-engined bombers to enter service with the RAF during the WW2.
Although preceded into squadron service by the Short Stirling by about 3 months, and on operations by about 1 month, the Halifax was the first RAF four-engined bomber to drop bombs on Germany in a raid on Hamburg on the night of 12/13 March 1941.
One of 193 Mk.VIIs, it was built by Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd. in 1945. In Sep.1945 it joined No.29 MU where it remained until 28May48 when it was struck off RAF charge as scrap.
It was later acquired by Handley Page at Radlett, for testing radio aerial installations and it remained at Radlett until 1961, when it was scrapped.
The nose and forward fuselage was salvaged by Graham Trant, who donated it to the Skyfame Collection in 1965.
In 1979 it was purchased by the Imperial War Museum.

The Handley Page Halifax was a British Royal Air Force (RAF) four-engined heavy bomber of the Second World War.
It was developed by Handley Page to the same specification as the contemporary of the Avro Lancaster, and the Short Stirling, all three aircraft being four-engined heavy bombers.
The Halifax entered service with the RAF on 13Nov1940. It quickly became a major component of Bomber Command, performing routine strategic bombing missions against the Axis Powers, many of which were performed at night.
Arthur Harris, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Bomber Command, described the Halifax as being inferior to the rival Lancaster, in part due to its inability to carry larger individual bombs such as the 4,000 pound 'Cookie' blast bomb.
Nevertheless, production of the bomber continued until April 1945. During their service with Bomber Command, Halifaxes flew a total of 82.773 operations and dropped 224.207 tons of bombs, while 1.833 aircraft were lost. The Halifax was also operated in large numbers by other Allied and Commonwealth nations, such as the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Free French Air Force and Polish forces.
[Wikipedia]

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
In the back: FMA IA-58 Pucará, ZD487 [A-549] / Argentine Air Force, captured during the Falklands War.

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Messerschmitt Bf109E-3, 1190 / Luftwaffe aircraft that force landed in Sussex in Sep.1940.

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Sussex, September 1940.

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Royal Aicraft Factory BE-2c, 2699

It served with No.50 Home Defence Squadron based at Dover.
Built by Ruston, Proctor and Company in Lincolnshire in 1916.
From a book quote (and there must be a typo in the book because it suggests that after service with 50HDS, it transferred to 190 Night Training Squadron in April 1918, and to 192 NTS in October 1918. But then the book states that it then 'served with No.51 Sqn for the last 2 months of its service and was wfu in May 1918, following a forced landing'. Some of the years identified must be wrong - either it was with the NTS during 1918 and withdrawn in 1919 or it was with the NTS during 1917 and withdrawn in 1918.
There is no date given for its transfer to the IWM.
[Source forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?97324-BE2-Histories]

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Bristol F.2B Fighter, E.2581 (Royal Flying Corps)

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017

The V-2 (German: Vergeltungswaffe 2, 'Retribution Weapon 2'), technical name 'Aggregat 4 (A4)', was the world's first long-range guided ballistic missile.
The missile with a liquid-propellant rocket engine was developed during the Second World War in Germany as a "vengeance weapon", assigned to attack Allied cities as retaliation for the Allied bombings against German cities. The V-2 rocket also became the 1st artificial object to cross the boundary of space with the vertical launch of MW 18014 on 20 June 1944!
[Wikipedia]

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Heinkel He.162 A-2 Salamander, 120235

Although Ernst Heinkel named the He 162 the 'Spatz', for Sparrow, the He.162 was mostly known as the 'Salamander' because of the creature's mythical ability to live through fire.
The He.162 Salamander was a single seat, single engine jet fighter.
It was designed to be quick and easy to produce, as well as being more reliable and cost effective than the Me262. The aircraft formed part of the Luftwaffes overall plan to counteract the allies large number of aircraft by having stronger aircraft themselves.
The 162, or 'VolksJager' (EN=People's fighter) as it was also known, came about in an impressively short time. Only 3 months passed between the design being commissioned on the 10th September 1944 and the 1st flight on the December 6th.

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Gloster Meteor F.8, WK991 (RAF N0.56 Squadron)

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Gloster Javelin FAW.9, XH897 (Aircraft & Armament Experimental Establishment markings)

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2, XV474 (RAF No.74 Squadron)

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Hawker Hunter F.6A, XE627 (RAF No.65 Squadron m/s, on loan from USAF)

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
deHavilland Vampire T.11, WZ590 (RAF, 5 FTS coded '49')

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, 501 (Hungarian Air Force)

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Percival Proctor III, LZ766 (G-ALCK) - Royal Air Force

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Cierva C.30A Autogyro, HM580 (G-ACUU )

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Sopwith Pup, N6161

Sopwith Pup N6161 was built at Kingston on Thames fitted with an 80 HP le Rhone and delivered to St Pol in France on 25Jan1917.
On 01Feb1917 N6161 was allocated to No.9 Squadron, which had been formed that same day.
That morning N6161, flown by George Elliott (newly arrived in France and on his 1st mission!), was one of two Pups escorting two Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutters on a photo-reconnaissance flight over Bruges. At 12.500 ft they were intercepted by two Rumpler float planes flown by Meyer and Niemeyer...
Carl Meyer, who was from Alsace and a very experienced pilot with 4 combat successes, managed to force Elliott down to land on the beach at Bredene.
N6161 was captured intact and Elliott survived the war as a PoW. It is said that Meyer wrote to Elliott in the PoW camps.

N6161 was then flown to Nieumunster, where it was photographed in its British markings, and then repaired and test flown (most likely by Meyer) in German markings!
Some of the original parts of the aircraft were retained by Meyer and, together with other personal effects, were passed down to his family following his death whilst testing a prototype Aviatik on 31Dec1917. It all ended up in a small private museum in Alsace and subsequently was acquired by the present owner.
These remaining original N6161 parts have been incorporated, alongside other original Sopwith factory and period Sopwith Pup components, in the re-construction of N6161 back to flight by Retrotec, the restoration 'arm' of the Historic Aircraft Collection (HAC) Ltd.
The aircraft will be initially flown in the British markings and later may be overpainted with the German markings.
The Pup made her first post restoration flight from Duxford on 17Oct16.
www.historicaircraftcollection.ltd.uk

www.historicaircraftcollection.ltd.uk
www.facebook.com/2015HAC

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Remember those ? The Sopwith (Camel?) I will always associate with Captain Johns' Biggles in WW1 !

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Supermarine Spitfire, 'MH434 / B-ZD'
More on its history on my page Duxford's Flying Legends 2017

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
North American P-51 Mustang, '413704 B7-H / Ferocious Frankie'
I found it listed for sale at: www.aircraftrestorationcompany.com/aircraft-for-sale

P-51 Mustang 'Ferocious Frankie' has fought in WWII, starred in Hollywood blockbusters and come 2nd in the Reno Air Races (without modification) having narrowly been beaten by a heavily modified, hugely more powerful machine!
From the 1980s to the present day, she's appeared in 5 Hollywood blockbusters, amongst a list of credits only beaten by Spitfire MH434.

The OFMC Mustang was built at the North American Aviation Factory at Inglewood, California and accepted by the USAAF on 27Feb1945.
Briefly kept in storage, in January 1947 it was sent to the Royal Canadian Air Force, operating from Suffield, Alberta. In 1953 with only total 433 flying hours it was completely overhauled in Winnipeg and with only an additional 81 hours time thereafter, was put into outside storage in Carberry Manitoba.
Happily, in 1957, it was sold into private hands and registered as N6340T.
In April 1980 the aircraft flew across the Atlantic to new owners, The Fighter Collection. Re-sprayed, it became known as Candyman / Moose, with the name on one side of the fuselage and the Moose’s head on the other.
The Mustang was first displayed in the UK at Biggin Hill in 1981, flown by Ray Hanna, the OFMC’s founder.
In 1989, after filming in ‘Memphis Belle’, the aircraft was given a complete overhaul by The Fighter Collection at Duxford.
OFMC acquired the aircraft early in 1999 and it now carries the highly distinguishing colours of Wallace E. Hopkins (an ACE credited with 8 victories and 1.5 damaged), as 'Ferocious Frankie'(named in honour of his wife Frankie), coded 'B7 H' of the 374th Fighter Squadron, 361st Fighter Group.
www.ferociousfrankie.com

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Nord 1002, NJ+C11 (G-ATBG)
See also axis.classicwings.com/Luftwaffe/messerschmitt/me108.htm

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Hawker Nimrod II, K3661 (G-BURZ)

Hawker Nimrod II K3661, manufacturer’s serial 41H.59890, was completed on 05Sep1934. On 01Jan35 it was placed in storage at Cardington (!) and then on 07Oct36 went to the packing depot at RAF Sealand.
On the 23Oct36 it was issued to 802 Flight in the Mediterranean with the side code number 562.
It served from 1936 to June 1938 during which it suffered 2 landing accidents.
Placed on Admiralty charge with the Fleet Air Arm on 23May39, its last recorded placement was to Lee on Solent in Dec. 1939.
In 1972 the Nimrod II was discovered on a rubbish dump in Ashford, Kent, more or less complete but well corroded.
The aircraft was recovered and donated to the RAF Museum and stored at RAF Henlow.
After Henlow’s closure the fuselage was sold off to Mike Cookman.
Aero Vintage acquired the fuselage from him in August 1991, and later that year the wings from this aircraft and those of the Nimrod I S1581 were also acquired from the RAF Museum.
Restoration commenced in 1992, helped by the fortuitous discovery of a large number of Nimrod drawings in Denmark.
A Kestrel V engine was located and has been restored.
The restoration was completed in November 2006 and the 1st post restoration flight was successfully completed on 16Nov2006.
www.historicaircraftcollection.ltd.uk

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Supermarine Spitfire HF9, 'TD314 FX-P / St. George'

'TD314 was built at Castle Bromwich in late 1944 and fitted with a Merlin 70 as a High Level Fighter (HFIXE). She was one of the last high back Spitfires built as the production line switched to low back aircraft in Feb.'45. She was delivered to No.33 MU at Lyneham on 30Mar1945, transferring later that month to No.30 MU before a further move to 6 MU where she was prepared for service with No.183 ('Gold Coast') Squadron at Chilbolton on the 24Jun45.
No. 183 squadron only kept its Spitfires for a short time before re-equipping with Tempests.
TD314 moved to No.234 ('Madras Presidency') Squadron at Bentwaters on 26Jul45; it is in this squadrons colours that she is currently finished with the squadron codes of FX-P.

In early 1948 TD314 was selected as one of the 136 Spitfire IXs to be sold to the South African Air Force and she was sent to 47 MU RAF Sealand, where she was packed for shipment andleaving Birkenhead on the SS Clan Chattan (23rd April), arriving at Cape Town on the 12May48.
Details of her use with the SAAF are not known, but she was sold for scrapping to the South African Metal & Machinery CO, Salt River, Cape Town. This was sometime during 1954.
She remained in the scrap yard until recovered by Larry Barnett of Johannesburg in 1969. From there she passed through the hands of several owners before arriving in the UK, via Canada, in 2009.
Acquired by Aero Legends in 2011, restoration commenced at Biggin Hill and culminating in a 1st flight on 07Dec13.
TD314 has been named St. George, which is prominently displayed on the fuselage.'
aerolegends.co.uk/spitfire/the-spitfire

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk.Vb, 'BM597 / JH-C 'with 'Poland' m/s (G-MKVB)

Built at Castle Bromwich and delivered to 37 Maintenance Unit on May 26, 1942. Initially she was allocated to 315 (Polish) Sqn in May 1942 but after just 4 months of service she was transferred to fellow Polish 317 Sqn where she carried the code JH-C.
In October 1945 she was converted to an instructional airframe at RAF St Athan and issued with the serial 5718M.
Relegated to display duties it was paired with AR614 at RAF Hednesford where she was gate guardian from 1952-54, then to RAF Bridgenorth before transfer to RAF Church Fenton. She was recalled to service for the 'Battle of Britain' film in 1967 it provided the master model for the fibre glass replicas. Back at Church Fenton in 1969 for a further 20 years where she was gate guardian.
She was sold on to the Historic Aircraft Collection in October 1993. Work continued at Audley End culminating in a first flight on July 20, 1997, with the registration G-MKVB. She was temporarily in new paint scheme in 2000 for Pearl Harbor film with markings AR352 (RF-C).
She is currently painted in the colours of 317 (Polish) Squadron, wearing the code JH-C.
www.touchdown-aviation.com/flying-legends/plane/historic-aircraft-collection/supermarine-spitfire-lf-mk-vb-g-mkvb.php
History also at www.historicaircraftcollection.ltd.uk

'The Fascinating Story Of Duxford And The Spitfire'
By Carl Warner

"Duxford and the Supermarine Spitfire have a shared history. RAF Duxford's No. 19 Squadron was the first RAF squadron to re-equip with the new Supermarine Spitfire, and the first Spitfire was flown into RAF Duxford in August 1938."
www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-fascinating-story-of-duxford-and-the-spitfire

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Hawker Hurricane Mk XIIa,'P3700 RF-E' (G-HURI)

'The Hurricane was the RAF's first monoplane fighter, going into service before its famous partner in RAF service the Spitfire. The Hurricane was available in greater numbers for its finest hour in the Battle of Britain, where it played a crucial role in the defence of this country, shooting down more enemy aircraft than the Spitfire.'

'Hurricane Mk XIIa 5711 was rebuilt in the 1980's from the best original Hurricane parts sourced, in the previous 10 years, gathered from all over Canada.
It made its first post-restoration flight in 1989 painted in RAF markings as Z3781, coded XR-T, of No.71 Eagle Squadron.
Historic Aircraft Collection (HAC) acquired the Hurricane in 2002 and after undergoing an 18 month extensive programme of repairs and maintenance the Hurricane reappeared in an entirely new paint scheme for 2004: Z5140, coded HA-C, of No 126 Sqdn. The paint scheme was what was worn by a Gloster-built Hurricane IIB, flown with No.126 Squadron during the siege of Malta.

In September 2005 Hurricane Z5140 became the first Hurricane to return to the Mediterranean island of Malta since World War Two. It flew there together with Spitfire BM597 as part of the Merlins Over Malta-project.
In August 2012 she flew to Moscow to display in their centenary airshow.
For the 75th anniversary in 2015 of the Battle of Britain, and with the support of the Polish Embassy, G-HURI has been repainted in the RAF markings as P3700: a Hurricane Mk.1, coded RF-E of No.303 (Polish) Sqdn.
The original P3700 was abandoned by Sgt. Kazimierz Wunsche over Poynings, Kent on 09Sep1940, after sustaining damage from a Bf 109 during combat over Beachy Head.

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Mitsubishi Zero A6M3

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Fairey Gannet ECM.6, XG797 (Fleet Air Arm, 831 NAS / coded '277')

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Hawker Sea Hawk FB.5, WM696 (Fleet Air Arm)

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S.2B, XV865 (RAF, No.208 Squadron)

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
Grumman TBM-3E Avenger, CF-KCG ['46214']
CF-KCG is a former Royal Canadian Navy aircraft in civilian hands in Canada since 1960 later as a sprayer,
following an accident in 1976 the aircraft was bought by the Museum. Painted as 46214 of the US Navy
to represent an aircraft flown by George H. W. Bush.
Previously on display in the American Museum here at Duxford.

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017
deHavilland Sea Vixen FAW.2, XS576 (Fleet Air Arm - 899 NAS coded '125')

A few of the participants of next weekend's Flying Legends air show were already outside, due for
some engine run ups and flying. The Lancaster PA474 was one of them (but did not fly this monday).

Imperial War Museum (IWM), 2017
Avro Lancaster PA474 (VN-T) is one of only 2 Lancasters in flying condition in the world, the other being owned
and flown by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum! It was hoped that PA474 would fly July 3rd too, I met
an enthusiast who had driven hours to witness the event, but after a test run that was not to be.

This four-engined, WWII era, Avro Lancaster heavy bomber operated by the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as a tribute to all members of Bomber Command during World War II.

PA474 was built by Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd at its Broughton factory near Chester in 1945 and was to be part of the British Tiger Force for strategic bombing in the Far East.
With the end of the war with Japan the aircraft was not needed and PA474 entered storage. With gun turrets removed it was assigned to Photographic Reconnaissance duties with No.82 Squadron in East- and South Africa.
On return from squadron service PA474 was loaned to Flight Refuelling Limited to be used as a pilotless drone. Flight Refuelling used an Avro Lincoln instead and PA474 was then transferred to the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield, Bedfordshire to be used for trials on the Handley Page laminar flow wing. The test wings were mounted vertically above the rear fuselage.

In 1964 PA474 came under the control of the Air Historical Branch for possible display in the proposed RAF Museum. During this time the aircraft appeared in 2 films: 'Operation Crossbow' and 'The Guns of Navarone'.
Following a request from No.44 Squadron the Lancaster moved to RAF Waddington for restoration back to wartime standard, including fitting back the front and rear turrets.
PA474 was transferred to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in 1973.
In 1975 a mid-upper turret was found in Argentina (!) and fitted.
During the winter of 1995 the Lancaster was fitted with a new main spar to extend the flying life.

On 07May15, the aircraft suffered a fire in its starboard outer engine. A safe landing was made at RAF Coningsby. It flew again on 12 October 2015 after extensive work to fix the damage caused by the fire to number four engine.

It was later announced that with the ongoing maintenance, PA474 could still be airworthy until 2065...
en.wikipedia.org:_Avro_Lancaster_PA474
www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/theaircraft/lancasterpa474.cfm

Imperial War Museum (IWM), 2017

Memphis Belle is the nickname of a Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress that was used during WW2 and which inspired
the making of 2 motion pictures: a 1944 documentary film, 'Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress', and a 1990 Hollywood feature film, 'Memphis Belle'.
The aircraft was one of the first USAAFs B-17 heavy bombers to complete 25 combat missions with her crew intact.
en.wikipedia.org:_Memphis_Belle_(aircraft)

This is a different B-17G though: G-BEDF (ex/ USAAF 44-85784)

There is another 'Memphis Belle', in the US, being restored:
warbirdregistry.org/b17registry/b17-4483546.html

Imperial War Museum (IWM), 2017
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress ‘124485 / DF-A’ ‘Memphis Belle / Sally B’ (G-BEDF; c/n 8693, A-VE
It's actual US military serial was 44-85784.

Operated by B-17 Preservation Ltd and based at Duxford.
‘Sally’ is the only airworthy B-17 outside of the USA. She is painted as ‘Memphis Belle’, following her use in the 1989 movie of that name.
The real ‘Belle’ was based at Bassingbourn, which is only a few miles away from Duxford.
[From www.flickr.com/photos/...]

Also relevant info on www.touchdown-aviation.com/flying-legends/plane/b-17-....bedf.php and
en.wikipedia.org:_List_of_surviving_Avro_Lancasters and also
memphisbelle.com/2017/01/26/.../

And more history & photos (flying!) on my Duxford's Flying Legends 2017 air show page

Imperial War Museum (IWM), 2017
Canso A, G-PBYA / '433915' (c/n CV-283)
I have summarized its history on my ENGLAND 2017 PAGE
Amazing to note that the original 44-33915 actually visited Duxford in 1945!

Imperial War Museum (IWM), 2017
G-PBYA 'Miss Pick up'

And more photos (flying!) on my Duxford's Flying Legends 2017 air show page

DUXFORD'S IMPERIAL AIR MUSEUM / AMERICAN AIR MUSEUM

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford -2017
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, '226413 / Z-UN'
This is a composite static rebuild, painted to represent an aircraft of the 78th Fighter Group based at Duxford.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt '226413 / UN-Z' (really 45-49192)
c/n 399-55731.
Actual US military serial 45-49192.
Saw post-war service with the Peruvian Air Force as '545' and later as '119'.
Rescued and returned to the US in 1969, she flew again in 1973 registered as N47DD.
Sadly, she later crashed on a delivery flight to a new owner, in February 1980.
The wreck came to Duxford in 1985, as part of a deal arranged by the Fighter Collection. A complex static restoration took place, also involving parts of other airframes.
Completed to a high standard, she is now painted to represent the personal aircraft of Col. Hubert Zemke, Commander of the 56th Fighter Group at Boxted.
From: www.flickr.com/photos/ajw1970/...

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
The American Air Museum: Literally filled to the rafters: the sleek Blackbird spyplane, the fastest air breathing jet
aircraft ever built and also, inspite of its size, the massive Boeing B-52. And many others so let me take you on a tour!

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Boeing B-52D-40-BW, 60689 (c/n 464060).
Ordered in the 1956 Fiscal Year batch (56-) and built by Boeing at Seattle for the USAF, del'd with serial 56-0689

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
56-0689 Delivered 11Oct1957 to 28th Bomb Wing. Retired from 7th Bomb Wing at Carswell AFB,TX and flown to Brize Norton, UK, and on Oct 8, 1983 to Duxford for the Imperial War Museum. Later to the American Air Museum Sep 1996. (From Joe Baugher's USAF Serials).

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
McDonnell-Douglas F-4J Phantom, BuNo. 155529 - AJ / VF-74, USS America, US Navy

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Boeing B-50, 461748/Y USAF

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Mitchell B-25, 34064/8U 'Lil Critter from the Moon'

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Douglas C-47, 311559 / W7

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress, 44-83735 - ex/ F-BDRS, see Ron Mak's photos on my website

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
North American P-51 Mustang, 411631 / V-MX

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford - 2017
Consolidated B-24M Liberator, 44-50493 'Dugan'.
Liberator 44-51228 was the last B-24 in USAF service, being used for ice research before being retired in 1953.
It was placed on display at Lackland AFB. Built by Ford at Willow Run, it was donated to the museum by the
Ford Motor Company, arriving in 1999. It is painted as '44-50493' of the 392nd Bombardment Group/578th Bombardment Sqdn., United States Army Air Force, based at RAF Wendling in Norfolk, England, and named Dugan.
I know of a C-119: The Legend of Dead Dugan!

The Spad XIII – a fast, ferocious fighter, and one of the best aircraft of World War One!

The United States took a long time to be come involved in ‘the Great War’, World War One.
Amazingly, despite being the first nation to have powered flight and having good trainers and maritime seaplanes, it had NO combat-worthy types which could survive the rigors of the Western Front!
Consequently, The American Expeditionary Force’s air component would have to be equipped with French and British machines, if they were to play a part in the final defeat of the Kaiser’s Germany...

The Société Pour L’Aviation et ses Dérivés, was the name of a company founded by the French entrepreneur Armand Deperdussin. The Spad XIII was derived from the earlier Spad VII, which had a 150 hp Hispano-Suiza V-8 engine and a single Vickers .303″ machinegun.
This was a fighter that was very fast for the day (135 mph), with tremendous dive speed, and a ceiling of over 21,000ft.
It was obvious that here was a fighter able to hold its own in combat with the German’s formidable Fokker D.VII, and easily outclass the Albatros D.Va and Fokker Triplane.

Eddie Rckenbacker - WW1 Ace

Eddie Rickenbacker (born to American/Swiss parents as Edward Reichenbacher), was a famous race driver before the war, and ended up as General John. J Pershing’s personal chauffeur in France. He pestered the General, and got his wish, a posting to the U.S. Army Air Service. By May, he was with the 94th ‘Hat in the Ring’ Squadron, of the 1st Pursuit Group, which were equipped with the rather fragile Nieuport 28.
On the 28May1918, he shot down an Albatros, then lost part of his wing diving on two others (this was a common occurrence). Somehow he managed to limp back to base.

Shortly afterwards he was on leave in Paris, and rather than go back with his comrades, went to the American Air Depot at Orly Aerodrome. There he found 3 brand new Spad XIII being being readied for dispatch to the 94th, and flew one of these back.
This aircraft, ‘S’ 4523, known as ‘Old # 1’ was his mount for the rest of the war.
He was a daring, highly skilled fighter, who shot down more enemy aircraft than any other American – a total of 26

By the time the Armistice rolled around -the fighting stopping at 11am on 11Nov1918 – the United States had accepted delivery of no less than 893 Spad XIII, which equipped 15 out of 16 American fighter squadrons. The eventual final production total came to 8,472 of the type.

Eddie Rickenbacker, WWI ace

The aircraft you can see here is on display in the American Air Museum is, of course, a replica, as are several others displayed around the world. The original Spad XIIIs on display in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, and the National Museum of the Air Force in the United States, despite being painted as Rickenbacker’s aircraft, are not his.

This particular example was built in Germany by Williams Flugzeugbau in 1978, reg'd D-GOWM, and powered by a 200 hp Lycoming AIO-360-A2I3 engine.
It was owned by Leisure Sport Ltd, of Thorpe Park, England, and flew as part of a ‘flying circus’ until it was grounded in 1982.
It was then exhibited at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton.
The Imperial War Museum acquired the aircraft in 1997 and it forms part of their excellent collection of American aircraft on display here in The American Air Museum at Duxford Airfield.

From : shortfinals.wordpress.com/2013/07/18/spad-xiii-duxford/

You might like to explore this Daily Mail online article on the recent reopening of the American Air Museum www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3495651/....

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford -2017
Harvard T6 'AJ841 Wacky Wabbit' of Classic Wings taxies past a Supermarine Spitfire.
Classic Wings uses it for flightseeing! www.classic-wings.co.uk/warbird-t6-harvard-flights

Imperial War Museum (IWM) - Duxford - 2017

The 'T6 Harvard' syndicate decided in August 2014 to repaint G-BJST in a new colour scheme for the 2015 season as the paintwork needed replacing. It was decided that AJ841 would be repainted as a former RAF Desert Air Force (DAF) MK.II Harvard. Richard Pike & Sam Woodgate of RS Paintworks (based at Fishburn airfield) took care of the sponsoring.
It was found that AJ841 would be the perfect plane to dedicate the repaint to, as she flew with a former
Fowlmere squadron which is a stones throw from Duxford, just to the west.
As with a lot of wartime aircraft there were many variations in camouflage colours, roundels styles and sizes. After much researchit was settled on the current colours, patterns.
'Wacky Wabbit' looks great!
www.t6harvard.com/AJ 841_Harvard_history

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford -2017
North American P-51 Mustang, '413318 / Frenesi'

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford -2017
P-51 Mustang '413318' finding a place next to Catalina G-PBYA
More details on P-51 'Frenesi' further below on this page.

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford -2017
A smoky start up!

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford -2017

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford -2017
WW2 flying days are bing reenacted here!

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford -2017
North American P-51 Mustang 413318 'Frenesi' (N357FG)
www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/survivors/serial/44-12852
P-51 413318 history

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford -2017
Now this P-51 'Frenesi' is some warbird, isn't it? Real classy!

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford -2017
The camouflaged one is a Hispano HA.1112-M1L Buchon, G-AWHK of Historic Flying Ltd. to be precise.

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford -2017
Harvard SNJ-5, '3072' (G-TEXN)

Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford -2017
North American T-28 Trojan, '17692' (G-TROY) on the towtruck; recently repainted in USAF m/s.

North American T-28A-NI Trojan 17962 / TL-692 (c/n 174-545, 51-7692)
[T-28 FENNEC/No 142/F-AZFV --> G-TROY]

T-28A Trojan, c/n 174-545, rolled off the former Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft production line at Downey, California in early 1953 and by March that year was delivered to the USAF Training Command. By 1958, having served its training role, it was retired and put into storage and eventually struck off the military inventory in December 1959.
In 1962 it was delivered to the USAF’s Military Aid Assistance Programme where the US Congress gave direct grants to friendly governments to purchase surplus US military equipment. 174-545 was acquired by the French, brought back to flying status and flown to Norfolk Naval Air Station, Virginia and from there it was embarked onto a French aircraft carrier as deck cargo for the Atlantic crossing to St. Nazaire.
Following the Sud-Aviation modifications, T-28 FENNEC, No 142 became part of the Armée de l’Air Light Aircraft Ground Support Squadrons (EALA – Escadron d’Aviation Legere d’ Appui) and went on to fly operational missions in the counter insurgency role in Algeria.
Following an accident in December 1964, No 142 was eventually retired from the Armée de l’Air in April 1965.

No 142 began its civilian life on static display on a roof of a camping building in Pont d’Ain, Villeneuve before being acquired by the Association pour la Sauvergarde des Avions, Villeneuve-sur-Lot.
Following a rebuild at Dijon/Longevic, it flew again in

Nov.1988 reg'd as F-AZFV by the Amicale les Ailes Tremontaises at Tremons.
In September 1991, F-AZFV was involved in a forced landing the resulted in a rebuild involving a new engine, propeller and rear fuselage with parts obtained from Armée de l’Air spares and was repaired by January 1993.
By March 1998 it had been acquired by Mark Hanna of the Old Flying Machine Company at Duxford and placed on the British register as G-TROY in April 1999, when acquired by its present owners Simon Howell and Simon Tilling, the trustees of Groupe Fennec.
The aircraft is in Armée de l’Air markings with an overall silver finish and the serial No 517692 and FENNEC No. 142 on the tail.
Posted by Steve Montana Photography on 2014-09-16 19:43:42
https://aircraft-logbook.org/index.php/2017/06/07/north-american-t-28a-ni-trojancn-174-54551-7692t-28-fennecno-142f-azfvg-troy/

FLYING LEGENDS AIR SHOW - JULY 8th

Duxford's warbirds
Warbirds galore!

These images are a teaser for the July 8th air show: SEE MY PAGE FLYING LEGENDS 2017

Warbirds gather at Duxford (2017)
Going back in time...

Warbirds gather at Duxford (2017)
Curtiss P-40C Warhawk, '10AB160' (G-CIIO)

P-40C Warhawk 41-13357 was accepted by the USAAC on 6th April 1941.
Having amassed 603 hours, it was returned to the Curtiss Factory in Buffalo,NY, where it was overhauled for the Lend-Lease programme with the Soviet Union. The P-40C was then duly shipped to the USSR in Dec.1941.
The history past this point is still relatively unknown.
This aircraft wears the scheme of 39-159, a P-40C that was stripped of it's olive drab camouflage paint and used as a personal 'hack' for base commanders.

The restoration culminated on the 05Aug2011 when the aircraft (then reg'd N80FR) had its 1st post restoration flight in the hands of Steve Hinton.
The aircraft was shipped from Chino to Duxford during May/June 2014, in time for Flying Legends 2014 ,
where it made it's UK debut.
fighter-collection.com

Warbirds gather at Duxford (2017)
Curtiss H75-CI Hawk, No.82 (Armée de l'Air) on the left and Curtiss P-36C Hawk ‘PA-50’ (NX80FR) on the right

Warbirds gather at Duxford (2017)
Goodyear Corsair FG-1D 'KD345/A' (G-FGID) in Royal Navy c/s. Manufactured in 1945.
Its history I have on my ENGLAND 2017 page

Warbirds gather at Duxford (2017)
Curtiss P-40F Warhawk , 'XI-7 Lee's Hope'
More details on my ENGLAND 2017 page

Warbirds gather at Duxford (2017)
Hawker Hurricane, P2902? / R-DX RAF

Flying Legends 2017 goes airborne!

Tally Ho!!!

A teaser for the full page..!
See my DUXFORD'S FLYING LEGENDS AIR SHOW, JULY 8th

Flying Legends 2017 (Duxford, England)
Curtiss H75 (P-36), No.82 / 8

Flying Legends 2017 (Duxford, England)
Supermarine LF Mk.Vb Spitfire, EP120 (G-LFVB) of The Fighter Collection.
Full history on Duxford's Flying Legends 2017 air show

Flying Legends 2017 (Duxford, England)
The 'Grace Spitfire', ML407 OU-V; its full history on Duxford's Flying Legends 2017 air show

Flying Legends 2017 (Duxford, England)
North American Mustang, 472216/M (code HO)

44-72216 G-BIXL "Miss Helen" - http://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/survivors/serial/44-72216
1945: Jan 09, Delivered USAAF 487th FS, 352 FG, 8th AF
WWII Vet: coded HO M(bar) "Miss Helen" flown by Capt. Raymond Littge and "Miss Nita" flown by Lt. Russell Ross 1948: Feb 25, Swedish AF 26116 F4, later F16 coded GF
1953: Mar 19, sold to Israeli AF IDFAF 2343?
1976: Recovered from Israel, Robert Lamplough
1981: G-BIXL, Robs Lamplough, London UK
1987: restored Duxford using 44-72770 , flew as 472216 HO L, HO M
Flew in Memphis Belle film as "Miss L"
2000: restored to WWII markings of "Miss Helen"
2004: suffered an off-airport landing, repairs started
2007: repairs complete, flying once again.
2008: Duxford show - hard landing from rough running engine, repairs made
2015: Sep 24, sale, Robert Tyrrell, UK

Flying Legends 2017 (Duxford, England)
Magic! Spits 11-5 and AE-A

Flying Legends 2017 (Duxford, England)

Flying Legends 2017 (Duxford, England)
Hispano HA.1112-M1L Buchon, (G-AWHK) of Historic Flying Ltd.

Bf109 Buchon G-AWHK
• Aircraft Type: Hispano HA-112 MIL (Buchon)
• Operator: Aircraft Restoration Company
• Year of Manufacture: 1959
• Powered by: Rolls Royce Merlin 500-45
• Colour Scheme: Luftwaffe ‘Yellow 10’ (Battle of Britain movie)
-desert paint scheme to represent Messerschmitt Bf109 E-7 'Black 8'- flown by Leutnant Werner Schroer of Jagdgeschwader JG-27 in April 1941 for Flying Legends 2017 -

The Buchon is essentially a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine Messerschmitt Bf109.
The Luftwaffe-manned Condor Legion upon its return to Germany in 1939, left around 40 Bf109B/E’s for the Spanish Air Force to use. In 1943 the Spanish government agreed to licence production with Messerschmitt to produce 200 Bf109G’s.
As the war worsened, Germany was unable to supply the remaining components for the airframes.
Improving relations between the Spanish government and the West from 1952, saw the powerful Rolls Royce
Merlin engine sourced from Britain fitted to the airframe. The combination of ex-German airframe and British powerplant was successful and the first prototype flew in 1954.

This particular aircraft was built by Hispano Aviacion in Saville in 1959. This aircraft was one of 27 purchased at auction from the Spanish Air Force by Spitfire Productions for use in the making of the 1968 film Battle of Britain''.
After filming this aircraft was acquired by Wilson C Edwards and shipped to the U.S.A. She was acquired by the Old Flying Machine Company and arrived back in the U.K in 1996. After being sold on to The Real Aircraft Company who initiated a full rebuild to airworthy condition she was acquired by Spitfire Ltd in 2006. This aircraft is now owned by Historic Flying Ltd and flown in the movie ‘Valkyrie’ starring Tom Cruise.
www.flyinglegends.com/aircraft/bf109-buchon.html

Flying Legends 2017 (Duxford, England)
Bristol Blenheim Mk.I 'Q-YP' (G-BPIV) escorted by three Spitfires

Flying Legends 2017 (Duxford, England)
A splendid formation of Hurricanes - more pics on Duxford's Flying Legends 2017 air show

Flying Legends 2017 (Duxford, England)

Flying Legends 2017, warbirds and propliners on show
Beech 18-3NMT, N21FS (c/n CA-138); based at Grenchen Airport, Suisse.

Flying Legends 2017, warbirds and propliners on show
All three hail from Switzerland: DC-3 N431HM (c/n 9995), Beech 3NMT N21FS and Beech D18S N223CM (CA-223)
The two Beechcrafts are owned by Hugo Mathys (reg'd to Aircraft Guaranty Corporation, Trustee) and a 3rd, N184KP, joined in 2017.

Flying Legends 2017, warbirds and propliners on show
See how DC-3C (C-47A) N431HM particpated in 'D-Day 75' - Daks over Duxford, commemorating 75th D-Day anniversary

Flying Legends 2017, warbirds and propliners on show
Douglas C-53D Skytrooper, LN-WND (c/n 11750), of the Dakota Norway Foundation

Flying Legends 2017, warbirds and propliners on show
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress ‘124485 / DF-A’ ‘Memphis Belle / Sally B’ (G-BEDF) c/n 8693(A-VE).
Its actual US military serial was 44-85784. Here seen in a stylish performance.

Flying Legends 2017, warbirds and propliners on show

Flying Legends 2017, warbirds and propliners on show
Catalina G-PBYA - (much) more on my account of the air show @Duxford, July 8th.

SEE MY FULL PAGE ON DUXFORD'S FLYING LEGENDS 2017 AIR SHOW!

www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford/exhibitions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_aircraft_at_the_Imperial_War_Museum_Duxford
fighter-collection.com/cft/tfc-aircraft-directory/

ENGLAND 2017
IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, DUXFORD (& COLLECTIONS)
DUXFORD'S FLYING LEGENDS AIR SHOW, JULY 8th

CHECK OUT MY 'D-DAY 75' - 'DAKS OVER DUXFORD'

Reactions / comments welcomed.

ENGLAND 2017 ~IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, DUXFORD~

DUXFORD'S IMPERIAL AIR MUSEUM / AMERICAN AIR MUSEUM

FLYING LEGENDS AIR SHOW - JULY 8th

Flying Legends 2017 goes airborne!

ENGLAND 2017
~IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, DUXFORD~