So we nearly forgot to show you this! The pics from the
recent “Flying Legends” show at Duxford in Cambridge in England last month
(2012) The newest of “The Fighter Collection’s” aircraft – the much
repaired and re-worked Republic P-47G Thunderbolt 42-25068 'Snafu' took to the air to thrill the crowds and it
was very popular indeed - as were all of
the aircraft on a very busy weekend! Click on to see the gallery and some words
on the day itself…
The day starts – if you are canny – with a quick stop in to
our friends at The Fighter Collection’s tent – you get to put your gear down
and walk the flight line for a year’s membership with these guys who send you a
newsletter and updates on all of their aircraft. This really is a great deal as
you get to have a “base” to operate from as well as get close up for excellent
photo ops with these aircraft.
Just for a quickie we popped into one of the bookseller’s
tents and found our man from Osprey – Tony Holmes the Aviation Editor at large
peddling and talking about his books – Always great for a chat is Tony and it
is good to talk to someone who is immediately influencing your favourite
titles!
Then we had a little jaunt down the flight line – opened till
12 noon it pays to get there early and you won’t have such a rushed photo
experience – Lots of great details you see on these aircraft the closer you
get. It was great to see the folding wings of the naval planes, the powerful American
fighters like the silver Lightning and the all-new thunderbolt were
particularly impressive, as well as the gaggle of spitfires with their early
marques creating some interest. Right the way thru to the older biplane and elegant
C-47 Dakota and the Ju52 “Tante Ju” – and who could forget the beautiful Catalina??
Click on any of these images to make them larger...
Click on any of these images to make them larger...
Quickly before the show started we popped into the hangars –
from the battle of Britain, to the modern British aircraft hangar to the
Fighter collection and the American airpower hanger this place is stocked with
some amazing aircraft to see and get close up with. It is great to see some classic
aircraft under repair as well. Hopefully next year these will be flying.
Then on to the Flying display itself – these are just SOME
of the many pictures I took – around 1000 or so - but I hope they illustrate
the great views of the aircraft the public got to see.
A great day was ended by the mass fly-by – the “Balbo”
which put all of the participants in the air at once – a truly massive show-piece
that the Flying Legends is famous for… Well again next year? Of course!! But first well get some books for the way home....
Adam Norenberg