Duxford – Battle of Britain Air Show Report

Hurricane Mk IIb from Hangar 11 at North Weald turning onto finals for landing. (photo by Dave Layland)
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Hurricane Mk IIb from Hangar 11 at North Weald turning onto finals for landing. (photo by Dave Layland)
Hurricane Mk IIb from Hangar 11 at North Weald turning onto finals for landing. (photo by Dave Layland)

Imperial War Museum Duxford – Battle of Britain Airshow 2017

by David Layland

Duxford held it’s Battle of Britain Airshow over the weekend September 23rd/24th. Duxford is also celebrating its centenary this year, the Royal Flying Corps having established it as a training airfield in 1917. and then hosting the RAF, USAAF and then the RAF again. It is now home to the Imperial War Museum (IWM) as well as commercial enterprises such as The Fighter Collection (TFC), the Old Flying Machine Company, the Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo), the Historic Aircraft Collection and the B-17 Preservation Society. The weather for the flying was mostly ok; showers giving way to overcast on Saturday, but sunny and warm on Sunday.

ARCo's Bristol Blenheim Mk.If L6739 coming in for a landing. (photo by Dave Layland)
ARCo’s Bristol Blenheim Mk.If L6739 coming in for a landing. (photo by Dave Layland)
ARCo's Bristol Blenheim on the ground waiting to take off. (photo by Dave Layland)
ARCo’s Bristol Blenheim on the ground waiting to take off. (photo by Dave Layland)
The Fighter Collection Hawk 75 on the flight line. (photo by Dave Layland)
The Fighter Collection Hawk 75 on the flight line. (photo by Dave Layland)
Re-enactors with aircraft. (photo by Dave Layland)
Re-enactors with aircraft. (photo by Dave Layland)
The Plane Sailing Catalina comes back to land. (photo by Dave Layland)
The Plane Sailing Catalina comes back to land. (photo by Dave Layland)
'Sally B' from the B-17 Preservation team. She wears the nose art of B-17F Memphis Belle, and flew in the 1990 film of the same name. The checkerboard engine cowling is a tribute to the aircraft's original owner, the late Ted White. (photo by Dave Layland)
‘Sally B’ from the B-17 Preservation team. She wears the nose art of B-17F Memphis Belle, and flew in the 1990 film of the same name. The checkerboard engine cowling is a tribute to the aircraft’s original owner, the late Ted White. (photo by Dave Layland)
Great War Display Team's BE2c approaching to land. (photo by Dave Layland)
Great War Display Team’s BE2c approaching to land. (photo by Dave Layland)
Great War Display Team's Fokker Dr.I approaching to land. (photo by Dave Layland)
Great War Display Team’s Fokker Dr.I approaching to land. (photo by Dave Layland)

The flying programme for both days was very similar. With only a couple of unserviceable aircraft and a tricky crosswind on Sunday, nearly every aircraft flew as advertised. Both days opened with the RAF Parachute Display Team, known as The Falcons. Next came a unique formation of six Hawker Hurricanes of various marques, including a Sea Hurricane. It’s doubtful that that many Hurricanes have flown together since the end of WWII, or soon after. Then the display split up into groups of aircraft with a historical relationship, ending with two “classic” Duxford features: the Spitfire Balbo followed by the Battle of Britain finale formation.

Six Hurricanes perform a tail chase. This sight has probably not been seen since the end of WWII. (photo by Dave Layland)
Six Hurricanes perform a tail chase. This sight has probably not been seen since the end of WWII. (photo by Dave Layland)
Three Hurricanes tuvk in close for a formation flypast. (photo by Dave Layland)
Three Hurricanes tuvk in close for a formation flypast. (photo by Dave Layland)
Sea Hurricane Z7015 from the Shuttleworth Collection crosses the runway apron. (photo by Dave Layland)
Sea Hurricane Z7015 from the Shuttleworth Collection crosses the runway apron. (photo by Dave Layland)
Hurricane Mk.I P3717 of Hurricane Heritage just before she touches down on Duxford's grass runway. (photo by Dave Layland)
Hurricane Mk.I P3717 of Hurricane Heritage just before she touches down on Duxford’s grass runway. (photo by Dave Layland)
Hurricane P3700 of the Historic Aircraft Collection comes in to land. (photo by Dave Layland)
Hurricane P3700 of the Historic Aircraft Collection comes in to land. (photo by Dave Layland)
Hawker Hurricane P3700 of the Historic Aircraft Collection. Note that this is one of the "Twelve-gun" Hurricanes! (photo by Dave Layland)
Hawker Hurricane P3700 of the Historic Aircraft Collection. Note that this is one of the “Twelve-gun” Hurricanes! (photo by Dave Layland)
RAF re-enactors walk on the flight line near the Hawker Hurricanes. (photo by Dave Layland)
RAF re-enactors walk on the flight line near the Hawker Hurricanes. (photo by Dave Layland)

As usual with Duxford, the commentary was informative and slick. The commentators, Ben Dunnell and Colin Wilsher, knew when to inform and when to let the aircraft speak for themselves. Even with a few dropouts due to unserviceability and the unscheduled early landings by the P-51 Mustang Miss Helen and The Fighter Collection’s F8F Bearcat, Dunnell and Wilsher did not miss a beat.

The display flowed nicely with the commentary team giving an educational and entertaining narration of the display. The Great War Display Team gave a spirited performance, despite the wind on both days. Pyrotechnics simulated enemy flak, giving an authentic air to the show. All of the aircraft are immaculately turned out… a simple walk down the flight line immediately reveals how much care and attention their owners and support teams put into their presentation. Of particular note were Air Leasing’s Hawker Fury FB.II, ARCo’s ‘battle-weary’ Hispano Buchon, TFC’s shiny P-40C and Richard Lakes’ Spitfire FR.XVIII.

Air Leasing's Hawker Fury Mk II on the flightline. The aircraft is one of a batch which Hawker built for the Iraqi Air Force, but is now marked as the original Hawker Sea Fury prototype SR661. (photo by Dave Layland)
Air Leasing’s Hawker Fury Mk II on the flightline. The aircraft is one of a batch which Hawker built for the Iraqi Air Force, but is now marked as the original Hawker Sea Fury prototype SR661. (photo by Dave Layland)
Hispano Ha-1112 Buchon on the flightline. (photo by Dave Layland)
Hispano Ha-1112 Buchon on the flightline. (photo by Dave Layland)
The Fighter Collection's magical P-40C Warhawk. (photo by Dave Layland)
The Fighter Collection’s magical P-40C Warhawk. (photo by Dave Layland)
Supermarine Spitfire FR.XVIIIe SM845, owned by Richard Lake, taxies out marked as a 28 Squadron example. (photo by Dave Layland)
Supermarine Spitfire FR.XVIIIe SM845, owned by Richard Lake, taxies out marked as a 28 Squadron example. (photo by Dave Layland)

The highlights were undoubtedly the formation of six Hawker Hurricane’s and the thirteen-ship Spitfire formation. The huge scope of these formations was impossible to convey photographically, so it was time to put the camera down and experience the sight and sound of nearly twenty Merlin and Griffon powered aircraft in the sky. Duxford is becoming well known for its Spitfire Balbo, but now that the Hurricane’s star is rising, it is wonderful to see them getting in on the action. It was also nice to see the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron, with their brace of deHavilland Vampires and immaculate MiG-15UTI, making the trip over for the display season.

MiG-15UTI from the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron taxies out. (photo by Dave Layland)
MiG-15UTI from the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron taxies out. (photo by Dave Layland)
A Vampire from the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron "wet" starts. (photo by Dave Layland)
A Vampire from the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron “wet” starts. (photo by Dave Layland)
The Histoirc Aircraft Company's Spitfire MkVb BM597. (photo by Dave Layland)
The Histoirc Aircraft Company’s Spitfire MkVb BM597. (photo by Dave Layland)
A brace of Spitfire Mk.Is. The closest example, Mk.Ia N3200, actually flew from Duxford during the Battle of Britain. (photo by Dave Layland). The closest example actually flew from Duxford during the Battle of Britain. (photo by Dave Layland)
A brace of Spitfire Mk.Is. The closest example, Mk.Ia N3200, actually flew from Duxford during the Battle of France. (photo by Dave Layland). The closest example actually flew from Duxford during the Battle of Britain. (photo by Dave Layland)
Close up of "QV" a Mk.Ia Spitfire. (photo by Dave Layland)
Close up of “QV” a Mk.Ia Spitfire. (photo by Dave Layland)
Re-enactors with aircraft. (photo by Dave Layland)
Re-enactors with aircraft. (photo by Dave Layland)
Re-enactors with aircraft. (photo by Dave Layland)
Re-enactors with aircraft. (photo by Dave Layland)
Four Spitfires in close formation. No less than thirteen Spitfires flew during the air show! (photo by Dave Layland)
Four Spitfires in close formation. No less than thirteen Spitfires flew during the air show! (photo by Dave Layland)
Twelve Spitfires in formation during the "Spitfire Balbo"! (photo by Dave Layland)
Twelve Spitfires in formation during the “Spitfire Balbo”! (photo by Dave Layland)

Post the Hawker Hunter crash at Shoreham in 2015, the UK air show scene is still somewhat on the back foot, adjusting to amended crowd lines and viewing points, as well as having the display axis and aircraft further away. However, Duxford has done a good job of complying with the new regulations while at the same time creating an exciting and spectacular display. The audience is squeezed at little, with the western end of the crowd line out of bounds now, but the centre area has opened up a little to compensate.

The Plane Sailing Catalina comes back to land. (photo by Dave Layland)
The Plane Sailing Catalina comes back to land. (photo by Dave Layland)
The Shuttleworth Collections Lysander on finals. (photo by Dave Layland)
The Shuttleworth Collections Lysander on finals. (photo by Dave Layland)
The Fighter Collections FG-1D Corsair taxies out for take off. The aircraft is marked to represent a Corsair IV of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. The real KD345 flew with 1850 Squadron aboard HMS Vengeance, though never saw combat. (photo by Dave Layland)
The Fighter Collections FG-1D Corsair taxies out for take off. The aircraft is marked to represent a Corsair IV of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. The real KD345 flew with 1850 Squadron aboard HMS Vengeance, though never saw combat. (photo by Dave Layland)
The Aircraft Restoration Company's Hispano Buchon dummied-up to look like a war-weary, desert- camouflaged Bf-109 of JG.27. (photo by Dave Layland)
The Aircraft Restoration Company’s Hispano Buchon dummied-up to look like a war-weary, desert- camouflaged Bf-109 of JG.27. (photo by Dave Layland)

Even when an air show is not taking place, Duxford is a hive of activity. A walk around the hangars gives great insight into the UK’s warbird restoration and maintenance scene. There are several longterm projects that it would be good to see progressing; The Fighter Collection’s Bristol Beaufighter being one of them. It would be great to see in formation with the Blenheim! TFC also has a Seafury in quite an advanced state of restoration, as well as an ultra-rare Fiat CR.42 which looks close to having its fabric covering fitted. It’s difficult to pin anyone at TFC down to a flying by date, as I have a feeling a certain amount of budget juggling may be going on, but I think the CR.42 may be closest to flying, so watch this space!

The Air Leasing Hurricane Mk.I landing after display. (photo by Dave Layland)
The Air Leasing Hurricane Mk.I landing after display. (photo by Dave Layland)

So in conclusion, it was a great weekend with a full flying programme that reflected Duxford’s role in the Battle of Britain as well as a flavour of flying from the Great War through the Korean War. There was a packed crowd on both days, and plenty for them to see and do away from the flight line as well. I would definitely recommend Duxford if you are planning a trip to the UK, or are at a loose end during the summer, whether there is an air show or not. It was a privilege to represent WarbirdsNews at Duxford, and I am grateful for the extra access this gave me over the weekend.

Dave Layland DL PHOTOGRAPHY www.davelayland.co.uk


WarbirdsNews wishes to thank Dave Layland for his excellent report and photography from Duxford. We look forwards to more of his contributions in the future!

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