IWM Duxford Airshow 2013

[Airframes]

yep, see it now.

 

[rochie]

ok here's a few i messed with

View attachment 243103

 

[Gnomey]

Excellent shots guys!

 

[Airframes]

I say, Red Two! Rather splendid shots of the old crates, what!

Next lot from me, and the first few show some of the resident aircraft providing pleasure flights. Four Tiger Moths, a Dragon Rapide and a Harvard operated throughout the day, and some lucky punters got an air to air view of some of the displays.
The 22 Squadron Sea King arrived and landed, ready to do a demonstration 'rescue' later in the show. It hadn't been long on the ground when the crew were called out on a 'shout', and it had to take off and go, with spectators still on the taxi way, during the 'Flight Line Walk' period. As you can see, the weather was already making one of several rapid changes!
The next few show some of the varied scenes on the ground before the flying display proper commenced, with some unsung ground crew, a couple of re-enactors in period costume, a couple of nicely lit views of the American Air Forces Museum frontage, and resident B-17G 'Sally B'.
The gentleman in the final photo is former Sgt. Pilot Eric Quinney, who flew Lancaster 'P for Popsie' in the 1955 movie 'The Dam Busters'. He was signing prints, cards etc, with all donations going towards the upkeep of the Bomber Command Memorial.
Next series will be the Eurofighter Typhoon II.

 

[Airframes]

Coming more up to date, the Eurofighter Typhoon II blasted in from Coningsby with its usual roar. Much of the display was rather high, and with a grey aircraft against the threatening sky background it was difficult to track and focus.
I'd just about got the hang of it, when the blighter cut short his display (reason unknown) and b*gg*red off!

 

[Crimea_River]

Beaut shots Terry!

 

[Catch22]

Great shots guys!

 

[rochie]

very nice Terry, did far better than me on the Typhoon, didn't manage 1 decent picture during it's display

 

[Hotntot]

Great shots there guys. Odd thing going on with your camera there rochie. Can only think it's a metering issue, certainly when comparing the two shots you and Terry took of the Fennec. Is it something to do with the metering selection/choice (if any)?

 

[rochie]

Great shots there guys. Odd thing going on with your camera there rochie. Can only think it's a metering issue, certainly when comparing the two shots you and Terry took of the Fennec. Is it something to do with the metering selection/choice (if any)?

it is almost defiantly some setting i have messed with and i suspect it might be the white balance setting as i remember changing that when taking shots of my finished models indoors !
i have only recently started using different settings on my camera, so i hope a factory re set will sort it out.

and thanks

 

[Crimea_River]

That's a possibility Karl. Taking outdoor shots with the WB set at fluorescent light can sure mess with the colours. Speaking from experience here.

 

[Airframes]

Thanks very much chaps.
Yes Karl, I think a re-set should sort it. The shots I took with the Fuji and the Nikon are closely matched in colour balance, contrast and brightness, so I think re-setting your Fuji should sort things. You'll see what I mean when I post the shots of the 'Reds' later, taken with both cameras.

Moving on, and the first three pics show a more 'genteel' performer, with the only airworthy 'Cosmic Wind'. This aircraft was built just after WW2, and was a bit of a 'hot ship' in its racing class at the time. As you can see, the weather was taking the p*ss again!
The Arbarth-sponsored 'Extra' put on an incredible display, much of which was against the dramatic backdrop of a rapidly changing sky. I was so fascinated by this swift little aircraft's gyrations, that I stopped taking photos and watched !
In one rapid move, the 'Extra' climbed vertically, stall turned, rolled, stood on it's tail, pushed forward to horizontal, and did six flick rolls in a distance equal to just twice it's own length, before 'bunting' and reversing direction ! Fantastic!!
EDIT:- Some of the pics are definitely losing quality once posted on the forum !

 

[rochie]

great Shots Dogsbody, think we got very wet 2 minutes after the Extra.

that Extra really was amazing, the series of climbing vertical tumbles he did then just stopped it on its side and flew off on a knife edges pass left me speachless

 

[Airframes]

Me too !
I've been 'around' aviation most of my life, and seen most things, but that display was something else!
And yes, did we get bl**dy wet soon after! I was sitting in a puddle for the rest of the day ! (and no, I hadn't p*ss*d myself!!).

 

[Crimea_River]

Nice to see this from a dry chair!

 

[Airframes]

Thirty thousand gallons of cold water on its way to you Andy ..................

 

[Airframes]

Moving back to some 'warbirds', the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was forced to hold off for around 15 minutes, waiting for a squall to pass through (seen heading our way in the first pic), which got Karl and I really soaked! Consequently, their display was cut short slightly, with one Spitfire, due to depart for a singleton display elsewhere, fuel critical.
The Lancaster was escorted by the Spit MkXVI and the PR19, with the MkXVI providing a 'tail chase' to the Lanc at the end. Having spent two air show seasons with the 'Flight, making an AV presentation in the 1980's, and since taking many more photos of them, I only took a few of shots this time around.
Duxford's resident B-17G 'Sally B' was scheduled to do a display at the former 8th Air Force base at Seething, and the sequence included here, as she started up, taxied out and took off for the location, would be familiar to any veteran of the 'Mighty Eighth' , especially the weather!
More pics tomorrow.

 

[Gnomey]

Great shots Terry!

 

[Airframes]

Thanks very much Hugh. I've just realised, I missed out one shot of the BBMF, so here it is.

 

[Crimea_River]

Thirty thousand gallons of cold water on its way to you Andy ..................

Coincidentally, that's what the forecast calls for here tomorrow.