I attended the airshow on the Sunday. The weather was its normal self, giving the famous background at Duxford, a cloudy look. There was a crosswind which was proving to be a bit of a pain. For photography, Duxford always presents tricky conditions, often resulting in silhouettes. I was glad to find out that the spitfires would close the show, this meant that the sun would be in a better position for pictures.

Classic wings were running their pleasure flights as normal. They seemed to be very busy, running 2 DH Dragon Rapides, 3 Tiger moths and a Harvard. It was great to see the pilots skillfully landing on the right-hand wheel time and time again due to the crosswind. During the lead up to the show, there were lots of things to see on the ground.

Firstly the flight line walk. This allows the public to get a bit closer to the displaying aircraft. Looking down the line, who could fail to be impressed by the aircraft amassed? P-51’s, 2 Gladiators, 4 Hurricanes, 2 Hispano Buchons, 2 Harvard’s Catalina, B-17 Sally B, and of course, no fewer than 16 spitfires!! Another great part of Duxford celebrations were the re-enactments scattered around the airfield. This brought a real 1940’s battle feel to the show.

Next up was the B-17 Flying fortress. This year sees the 35th anniversary of the arrival of this iconic flying memorial. ‘Sally B’ performed with the normal high quality seen for many years and finished off with a great pass with 2 smoking engines. Following on were a pair of P-51’s from OFMC and the Fighter Collection, who chased each other across the Duxford skies.

This then gave way for a speedy entrance by Stephen Grey in the Bearcat. He really put the Bearcat through its paces, showing just fast an aircraft the Bearcat is. Another of TFC’s Most powerful aircraft followed in the shape of the Hawker Sea Fury. This one is a T20 trainer version having 2 seats fitted. Again the aircraft performed at high speeds just as the Bearcat, showing why both aircraft are so popular for unlimited air racing in the states.

From the right came the Belgian F-16 display. The entrance was, wheels down smoke on. This followed a series of well executed rolls and climbs all performed pretty much inside Duxfords perimeter, Very impressive from such a powerful and fast jet fighter. Pilot 'Mitch' Beulen’s display was truly amazing and gave a real look at just how agile the F-16 is.

To follow was a great airshow act, The Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight, As the Reds had, the BBMF entered from Crowd rear in battle formation. The only way to sum up the BBMF is ‘The best of British‘! They performed their usual display routine with the fighters splitting from the Lanc, for a pairs act. Later they reform onto the Bomber, before leaving.

The next duo act brought back a nostalgic feel to the show. A pairing of De Havilland Hornet and leopard moth. These 2 wonderful aircraft swept gracefully across the sky before landing to make way for the ’hun’. Enter the Hispano Buchon. This year has seen this aircraft returned to its original Battle Of Britain Film colours. As the Buchon exited the crowd were treated to the first of the Battle Of Britain formations.

From the left, 4 Hawker Hurricanes flew across Duxford in formation. They completed their formation passes and this followed a tail chase. Re-enter the Buchon. What a great sight. At first I thought the Buchons own display had been to brief, but it tagged on to the end of the four Hurricanes to give chase. As two of the Hurricanes landed followed by the Buchon, this left the ‘Hurribomber’ of Hanger 11, with centre stage. A tremendous display by owner Peter Teichman.

To follow on with the Battle Of Britain theme, the Gladiator of the shuttle worth collection was next. Also used by the RAF in the battle, it was great to see her display. The Gladiator was the RAF’s first ever enclosed cockpit fighter. As The Shuttleworths Gladiator departed for home a Harvard duo consisting of TFC’s aircraft and one from ARCO. The pair were flown by Anna Walker and John Dodd. They performed an great formation display, before making way for the huge and lumbering Catalina.

The Catalina looked stunning against the blue skies that had now decided to come out. It always seems to take an age to turn the Catalina around, but always puts on a great display. The display consisted of the usual passes, with the floats being lowered to show of its sea born capabilities. A quick fly-by then from the Kennet aviation Westland wasp helicopter, signaled the start of the RAF’s Tucano Display. Another Cracker from Tom Bould the Tucano Display pilot.