Duxford 2016 - Meet the Fighters

[JudgeDredd]

The American Museum. This was closed last year for renovation so it was the only hanger I made it into and the one I was definitely heading for

[JudgeDredd]

[JudgeDredd]

And a very poignant way to leave the US Museum - a piece of the Twin Towers. There was also a video next to it (which I believe is around on Youtube also) showing the speed that the US grounded over 5000 aircraft

[JudgeDredd]

I missed the Hawker Fury and Bearcat flying because I was in a bomber briefing






A Bloodhound missile


A couple of shots of the aerobatic aircraft



Hispano Bushon



Spits







And more flight stuff...


























































Battle ensues








Of course - the Spitfires had to win...

[JudgeDredd]

These decided to bolt whilst there was a very, very small window of opportunity

[JudgeDredd]

The final flyer was the PBY Catalina. She was actually just taking off to go to another airshow...presumably somewhere with better weather. However, it decided to do a few flybys to cheer the ever dwindling and ever wetter crowd on. The Sally B had taxied to the runway but sat there and it came over the speaker that she wasn't going to fly. With her not flying, that meant the Spitfires wouldn't be going up either - so it was time to bail and get dry (and warm)

I have to say, she was superbly graceful and seeing her banking, lights on, angry sky and with huge bubbles for visibility, it made you think of the relief downed airmen or shipwrecked sailors would feel when seeing her overhead...not to mention the dread of the enemy navy when they spotted them.

[Staggerwing]

Awesomely exhaustive!

Whomever is responsible for arranging the exhibits in the american hanger must be really, really good at jigsaw puzzles...

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

Excellent pics.  Thanks for sharing.

[bayonetbrant]

great pics.  too bad about the weather, but it's that kind of normal this time of year?

[JudgeDredd]

Thanks all.

It's not at all predictable - there's no "normal" for any part of the year really anymore in the UK.

Britain's weather has become more and more unpredictable over the years. It's possible that's the case around the world - but I can only talk for this wee corner of the globe.

For example, today is 24C and sunny as a hot summer day!

[JudgeDredd]

I've ordered this as a print

[bob48]

Great stuff, JD. Thanks for posting them :-)

[DoctorQuest]

Can I use some of these in my screensaver?

[JudgeDredd]

Feel free  :)

[GDS_Starfury]

Love that Bitburg F-15.