Duxford Spring Airshow 2008

PLEASED TO SUPPORT

18th May 2008

Tbe first show of the 2008 Duxford season was an excellent show. However in the lead up to it, several things tried to dampen matters without succeeding. After a period of balmy temperatures, the forecast didn't look too promising but the rain gods stayed away to leave a mainly sunny, if cool and breezy day.

Also, the perils of announcing participants early hit the flying programme with the loss of the F-15s from Lakenheath as well as the Catalina (which was in Hangar 2 waiting for a starboard engine to be fitted) and at the last minute, the much loved B-17 'Sally B'. Over the winter a new engine had been fitted following a failure just before the October 2007 season closer. This new engine then faled during testing. The decision was taken to change it again for yet another engine to try and make the start of the Duxford season and especially the flying tribute at Maddingley. It just wasn't to be. During a test flight on the Friday before the show, this second replacement engine also failed for what appeared to be the same reason. Everyone's thoughts were with Elly Sallingboe & the whole team. However, they are nothing if not determined and are going all out to try and get her airworthy in time for Flying Legends in July.

The over 3 hour flying display opened with the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight's Lancaster, Spitfire PR.XIX 'The Last' and Hurricane LF363. RAF participation, in this the 90th Anniversary year of their foundation, also saw the Tucano flown by Flt Lt Stew Campbell, Flt Lt Dave Davies in the Hawk (also in special anniversary markings) and the ever popular Chinook from 18 Sqn RAF Odiham. However, the undoubted star was the Typhoon F.2 from 29(R) Sqn in the hands of Flt Lt Charlie Matthews. This outstanding display is certainly the most dynamic yet seen - certainly by an RAF Typhoon - and was constantly drawing cheers and applause from the healthy crowd.

The Royal Navy Historic Flight were also there, though not with the hoped for first showing of the restored Swordfish which was held up waiting for 'signature on paper'. In it's place alongside the Sea Hawk was Kennet Aviation's Seafire which has done such a stirling job in helping the Flight through the lean times when several of their aircraft were grounded for various reasons. Within a very few months, it could now be possible to see the Flight with Swordfish, Sea Hawk, Sea Fury and Seafire all in the air. An incredible achievement, and something that would have been unthinkable only a couple of years ago.

The always crowd pleasing Team Guinot in their Stearmans brought two aircraft along with wingwalkers Lucy & Danielle who performed in the second routine of the day. There are several new manoeuvres this year, including The Guinot Goose which was first tried out by Lucy towards the end of last season and which has now been adopted (the name for the manoeuvre comes from Lucy who is nicknamed 'Goose' in the team!). In this manoeuvre, the girls seat themsleves on the top wing with one leg hooked over the leading edge.

However, this wasn't the only appearance of the Team at the show. The first routine was a special for CBBC's famous 'Blue Peter' programme. Presenters Zoe Salmon & Andy Akinwolere had the wings to themselves for a specially choreographed display. The results of their adventure can bee seen on BBC.1 on 4th June.

As usual the show provided some unusual formations. Firstly we had Mark Miller's beautiful De Havilland Dragon Rapide paired with two Chipmunks from ARCo and then Martin Willing in the T.28 Fennec 'Little Rascal' teamed up with the T-6 Harvards from ARCo and The Fighter Collection. TFC also put in their usual spirited flying with Stephen Grey doing a solo routine in the mighty Bearcat, while the Hellcat, Wildcat and Corsair gave one of the famous tailchases.

HAC put up their Hawker Nimrod II with Charlie Brown in the cockpit, Andrew Dixon in his Percival Pembroke and just to make sure the jets weren't forgotten, the wonderful F.86 Sabre.

A fine display of tight turning was given by an Auster & Piper Cub duo. Also on the programme was something rather different in the shape of the Dukes of Cassutt in their tiny (15ft wingspan) F1 racers who also had the Taylor Titch and Pete Kynsey in his very rare Cosmic Wind for company.

As the wind dropped and a glorious golden sun put in an appearance, the show closed with two stunning display slots. First up was Anna Walker in her Bucker Jungmann with an amazing aerobatic routine. The finale saw three Spitfires take off together. These were Charlie Brown in the Historic Aricraft Collection's Mk.V BM597, Lee Proudfoot in OFMC's Mk.IX MH434 & Carolyn Grace with 'The Grace Spitfire'. While Charlie gave one of his famous displays above, Lee & Carolyn performed a very low and fast chase in front of the crowd. A marvellous way to end the first show of the year.

Classic Wings - De Havilland Dragon Rapide G-AKIF	Classic Wings - De Havilland Dragon Rapide HG691/G-AIYR	Classic Wings - Tiger Moth	Classic Wings - Tiger Moth
Classic Wings - Tiger Moth R4922/G-APAO	Classic Wings - Tiger Moth R4922/G-APAO	Flightline 01 - F.86 Sabre - Golden Apple Promotions/ARC	Flightline 01- F.86 Sabre - Golden Apple Promotions/ARC
Flightline 01- F.86 Sabre - Golden Apple Promotions/ARC	Flightline 02 - T.28s	Flightline 02 - T.28s	Flightline 03 - T.28 51692/G-TROY Group Fennec
Flightline 04 - Sea Hawk	Flightline 05 - RAF Tucano	Flightline 05 - RAF Tucano	Flightline 05 - RAF Tucano
Flightline 05 - RAF Tucano	Flightline 07 - RAF Hawk	Flightline 07 - RAF Hawk	Flightline 07 - RAF Hawk
Flightline 08 - RAF Hawk	Flightline 08 - RAF Hawk	Flightline 08 - RAF Hawk	Flightline 09 - Chinook
Flightline 09 - Chinook	Flightline 09 - Chinook	Flightline 10 - The Fighter Collection - Big Cats	Flightline 10 - The Fighter Collection - Big Cats
Flightline 11 - The Fighter Collection - Corsair	Flightline 11 - The Fighter Collection - Corsair	Flightline 11 - The Fighter Collection - Corsair	Flightline 12 - T.6s
Flightline 13 - Dragon Rapide	Flightline 13 - Dragon Rapide	Flightline 14 - Auster & Cub	Flightline 15 - Hawker Nimrod II - Historic Aircraft Collection
Flightline 16 - Air Racers - Taylor Titch, Cassaut Racers, Cosmic Wind	Flightline 16 - Air Racers - Taylor Titch, Cassaut Racers, Cosmic Wind	Flightline 17 - Air Racers - Cosmic Wind G-ARUL, Pete Kynsey	Flightline 17 - Spitfires
Flightline 17 - Spitfires	Flightline 17 - Spitfires	Flightline 18 - Spitfire Vc BM597 Historic Aircraft Collection	Flightline 19 - Spitfire Mk.IX MH434, Old Flying Machine Co
Flightline 19 - Spitfire Mk.IX MH434, Old Flying Machine Co	Flightline 19 - Spitfire Mk.IX MH434, Old Flying Machine Co	Flightline 20 - Spitfire Tr.IX ML407 'The Grace Spitfire'	Flightline 20 - Spitfire Tr.IX ML407 'The Grace Spitfire'
Flightline 20 - Spitfire Tr.IX ML407 'The Grace Spitfire'	Flightline 21 - Dutch Dakota Association, Douglas DC-3, PH-PBA, Dual colours (KLM port side/Air France starboard)	Flightline 21 - Dutch Dakota Association, Douglas DC-3, PH-PBA, Dual colours (KLM port side/Air France starboard)	Flightline 21 - Dutch Dakota Association, Douglas DC-3, PH-PBA, Dual colours (KLM port side/Air France starboard)
Flightline 21 - Dutch Dakota Association, Douglas DC-3, PH-PBA, Dual colours (KLM port side/Air France starboard)	Flightline 21 - Dutch Dakota Association, Douglas DC-3, PH-PBA, Dual colours (KLM port side/Air France starboard)	Flightline 21 - Dutch Dakota Association, Douglas DC-3, PH-PBA, Dual colours (KLM port side/Air France starboard)	Flightline 22 - Dutch Dakota Association, Douglas DC-3, PH-PBA, Dual colours (KLM port side/Air France starboard)
Flightline 23 - Boeing Stearman	Flightline 23 - Boeing Stearman	Flightline 24 - Messerschmitt Bf108	Flightline 25 - Western End