Duxford Flying Legends Airshow

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

 

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.

 

Here are a couple of Spanish Buchons looking very much like Me109's

Me109? by John Wolff, on Flickr

 

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

 

Here is a Spitfire from early in the show, there were 11 flying at the same time. It kind of looked like an air raid as they were all swarming over the airfield.

Spitfire by John Wolff, on Flickr

 

part of the US Navy fighters part of the show

Corsair by John Wolff, on Flickr

 

the three planes that were part of the Luftwaffe portion of the show...

Luftwaffe by John Wolff, on Flickr

 

Our location on the end of the flight line was great as we had an amazing view of the show and each and every plane would return right in front of us!

Final Approach 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

 

a couple of Spitfires and a hurricane escort a bomber (not sure the name of it)

Escort Time by John Wolff, on Flickr

 

It's the Bristol Blenheim...

Legends 2015 - Bristol Blenheim

 

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

 

Thanks for figuring that out Jeff, I was not sure which aircraft it was from the program as they do not show a photo with the lineup.

 

Almost forgot today's shot, some Curtiss planes

Curtiss Pass by John Wolff, on Flickr

 

A few P-51 coming into the flight line....

Coming in! by John Wolff, on Flickr

 

Spitfire by John Wolff, on Flickr

 

It was fun to go back and look at these shots from 2 years ago. I found a bunch I never posted. Here we have an angel on the wing

Angel on the wing by John Wolff, on Flickr