Duxford Flying Legends Airshow

jbwolffiv

jbwolffiv

Member
Back in July my father and I traveled to Europe. Their were 2 reasons for the trip, go and see Normandy and then attend the Duxford Flying Legends airshow in Cambridge, England. We had to take a train from Kings Cross, the same King's Cross that Harry Potter take the Hogwarts Express from. My train was on platform 10, so I had to look for the way to Platforn 9 and 3/4! Our train north left at 5:45 am as we wanted to be at the gate before it opened.

We arrived at the gate a little before 8 am, and proceeded to the flightline, where we sat and waited for 6 hours. For 5 pounds, you could walk the flightline and get up and close with many of the planes.

Here is some of the Spitfires (11 flew at once to begin the show) lined up on the far side.

Spitfire Row by John Wolff, on Flickr
 
Once the show started at 2pm, there were planes in the air overhead continuously until 5:30. As the planes were doing there thing, the next group would be taking off and getting in position for their turn. I have never seen anything like it (and probably never will again!)

Here is the 4 Curtiss planes, a P-36C, Hawk 75, P-40C and a P-40J flying in a formation.

The Curtiss Pass by John Wolff, on Flickr
 
Only three hours? Given the seemingly constant flow of planes, how does it compare to the typical American show in terms of time with planes in the sky? Most shows I've been to have a lot of down time. The Reno Air Races had the best ratio of up time to down time, since they'd have an air show act, a race, another act, another race, etc.
 
That was the biggest thing we noticed. The was little to no down time. We were at the end of where the planes would taxi before takeoff, we would see what was next based on it being in front of us, that being while we were watching the show portion in the air at that time. It really was like 3.5 hours of almost no down time.
 
I have long wanted to see a P-38 Lightning in person and see it fly. When I finally do, it is the Red Bull Racing owned one, and I just wish it was painted to a WWII look. Beggars can be choosers (but it didn't change that for me!)

P-38 Lightning by John Wolff, on Flickr
 
The last part of the show was the Red Bull Racing team, of which a P-38 Lightning was half of. I am not a fan of the sponsor painting, but it was a highlight to see the plane fly, which was a first for me.

P-38 Lightning by John Wolff, on Flickr
 
I could tell you what kind of bomber it was if my dad's WWII-era Aircraft Spotters Guide hadn't accidentally been sold at a garage sale. :(

This whole thread has me drooling. Excellent work, John. Remind me some day to scan one of my shots of Bob Hoover flying a P-38 at Reno.
 
ddindy said:
I could tell you what kind of bomber it was if my dad's WWII-era Aircraft Spotters Guide hadn't accidentally been sold at a garage sale. :(

This whole thread has me drooling. Excellent work, John. Remind me some day to scan one of my shots of Bob Hoover flying a P-38 at Reno.
Click to expand...

Thanks Dennis!!! Would love to see your stuff of the 38 at Reno!
 
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