A thrilling start to the Flying Legends weekend at Imperial War Museum Duxford

Thousands of visitors enjoyed a spectacular day of flying and forties nostalgia at the first day of the Flying Legends weekend, on Saturday 9 July.

The Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Lindy Hoppers danced up a storm on the Hangar Base, teaching visitors how to dance the ‘Lambeth Walk’.Living history groups brought the Second World War to life at Duxford’s historic airfield. Ops 1939-45 represented Battle of Britain-era pilots and ground crew and re-enacted Bomber Briefings, giving visitors a taste of the preparations for Bomber Command raids during the Second World War.

The 42nd Field Hospital portrayed US Army medical personnel from the Second World War, while the Screaming Eagles Living History Group represented servicemen who served with the 101st US Airborne Division, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Batallion, Easy Company during the Second World War.

A stunning aerial display commenced with seven Spitfires alongside a Hurricane and three Hispano HA-1112 MIL Bouchon aircraft in celebration of the aircraft of the Battle of Britain. This was followed by a display of US Navy aircraft, comprising a rare appearance by three Skyraiders, a Bearcat and a Corsair. B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B flew escorted by her ‘little friends’, six P-51 Mustangs. Two DH-84 aircraft, including the debut appearance by Aer Lingus’Iolar aircraft, flew alongside a de Havilland Dragon Rapide. The legendary Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster performed a majestic display, followed by the Fokker tri-plane. The German Luftwaffe were represented by a Junkers ju52 and a Jungmeister, and were followed by a display of Curtiss aircraft, comprising a P36 Hawk 74 and three P-40 aircraft.

A stunning display of Hawker bi-planes featured two Nimrods, a Hind and a Demon breezing around the Duxford skies. The heritage of the Royal Navy was represented by three Sea Fury aircraft and the Royal Naval Historic Flight’s Swordfish.

In their first appearance in the UK, and at Flying Legends, the Flying Bulls’ P-38 Lightning and F4U-4 Corsair wowed the packed crowds. In homage to the aircraft of the First World War, a Fokker dr1 and Nieuport 17 took to the skies. This was followed by a display by an Ms 406 accompanied by a Yak 9; two Dakota DC3s and the grand finale which is the traditional Balbo, comprising an encore display by many of the aircraft which presented such a stunning flying performance.

Flying Legends proved yet again why it is one of the world’s finest warbird air shows.

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