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Flying
Legends Airshow 7/8 July 2001 |
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For anyone contemplating a visit to Duxford this year or if you've planned your trip already, here is a taster of what's on offer at Britain's premier warbird airshow. The
weather duly complied with a typical English summer day and with the
persistent rain came an ever reducing cloud base. Infact don't be fooled
by the images, its not November! The
atmosphere at Duxford is one of the main attractions with people in
period costume supporting the huge array of historic machinery and bringing
history alive. |
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Indeed Duxford just oozes aviation history and the sights sounds and smells of this awesome collection of classic aircraft permeates the whole fabric of the place. To witness a trio of Hurricanes bounce across the grass and rise into the air with their rotol props rasping in coarse pitch or be blasted with the propwash as the mighty R2800's of the F7F are warmed up truly fires the imagination. The Imperial war Museum's collection of static aircraft is usually well frequented but back in July 2001 the huge hangars and the amazing USAF hall became a sanctuary for thousands of soggy aviation enthusiasts. Coupled with the aviation connection is the Land Warfare Hall and well worth a visit if only to contrast the technically advanced machinery lined up on Duxford's grass strip with the barbarism of going to war inside a T-34….. Vignettes from the trenches of the Somme to a Flak 88 in a ruined French farmhouse, give a snapshot on warfare and its horrors in the last century. 2002 sees new displays on the war in the Far East and a special D-Day vignette with entry into the museum through the doors of a landing craft….an imaginative and impressive display from the IWM curators. Regardless of the weather (its not usually this bad), Duxford is a must see event if you are visiting the UK. The flying display usually promises a visiting rarity or two amongst the OFMC collection and with neighbouring Shuttleworth Trust supplying some of the more genteel pre-war flying in the form of the Gloster Gladiator and Bristol Fighter there is something to appeal to all. Oh and the chance to photograph all of this with the morning flight line walk is superb! |
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Cambridge is also worth a visit and a stroll around the University to soak up the history is well worth an hour or two and if you combine it with a tour of some of Cambridge's pubs then your're in for a great weekend. |
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The Eagle Pub is also a must with its ceiling bearing witness to the signatures of airmen written in soot and a sombre reminder that although the restored aircraft remain, more and more of the 'few' do not. For
current details on the IWM Duxford flying program and links to the Shuttleworth
Trust Museum click on the links below. http://www.iwm.org.uk/duxford/index.htm |
| © Tony Oliver 2002 |
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