What We Saw There

As usual, the range of aircraft on display was amazing during the Battle of Britain airshow this year. There wasn’t as much stunt flying and no wing-walkers because of an airshow tragedy earlier this year, but the flights were wonderful nonetheless.

Yak-50 – Aerostars Aerobatic Formation

F-15E and Supermarine Spitfire

Boeing Stearman Kaydet

Curtiss Hawks

Chinook

Bristol Blenheim

B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B

Hawker Hurricane

Supermarine Spitfire TR Mk IX, KJ-I, SM520 and Messerschmitt

This is just a small cross-section of the displays at Duxford this year. The biplanes have always been a favourite of mine. So delicate and fragile; butterflies amid birds. However, there is a thrill to the speed of the Yaks and Hurricanes, the sound of the engines illustrating the Doppler Effect as they fly by just in front of us, demonstrating various maneuvers. But the biggest thrill of the day was yet to come.

Next week, the Spitfires.