Flying Legends Duxford

[lestweforget]

Has this been posted , I don't know, I don't care, gotta go!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUkaukjFapw

[jet1]

..is being there, where a huge amount of history occurred. I still think I was either reincarnated or simply born in the wrong time as every time I'm there the hair on the back of my neck stands up when ever I hear a WWII era motor running. I encourage ANYONE to make the pilgrimage to Duxfor if at all possible!

[hang the expense]

This airshow cant be beat.Some of the rarest aircraft you will ever see and they wring them out which is spectacular to say the least.

[Mudge]

Been there 6 times. ALWAYS something new. NEVER disappointed.

Mudge the traveller

[Dan K]

A question from one who's never been to Legends:

In all the images I've seen of this event, I don't think I've ever witnessed one which shows the general public examining warbirds up close.

Do opportunites exist for the general public to get close and personal with the participating aircraft and crews, or must everything be viewed from a distance?

[hang the expense]

The last I was there was in the 90s and was doing some work for fighter collection and doing my part to raise that island up out of the sea by drinking as much beer as possible.We had one hell of a ripping time.The Christmas party was THE best.I think there may be a crowd line now but not sure.

[JDK]

In all the images I've seen of this event, I don't think I've ever witnessed one which shows the general public examining warbirds up close.

Do opportunites exist for the general public to get close and personal with the participating aircraft and crews, or must everything be viewed from a distance?

Generally the poor people can't get their stickies on aircraft in the UK.

At Flying Legends, for a small charge, there's a flightline walk (before the show) where the aircraft are parked about 20 ft from the hoi-palloi, and you can photograph them to your heart's content and abuse the press who get in your way for their limited, better access.

However there are a selection or re-enactors who do add something to the shots for some. (and not for others.)

The aircraft pass through the crowd when they are wheeled out (and back) and sometimes they're parked in the crowd area when the hangar's being reshuffled, so you can get an opportunistic gander then.

Some areas on the IWM collection are within touching distance - the American Air Museum for instance.

If you know people, or ask nicely at a non busy moment, many of the organisations (and the IWM) will let people over the ropes for a better look - but I wouldn't ask on the Legends weekend as everyone's flat out.

On the other hand, the flying at Legends is tighter, faster and closer than many shows elsewhere - you'll see aircraft flying, take off and landing a lot closer than you do at most formal shows in the US (I understand) as the crowd line, IIRC is closer, and Duxford has a 'bent' crowdline. But it is VERY crowded these days.

And Duxford is an historic base, and most of that history is evident and well presented.

As has been said, I'd agree if you are serious about warbirds, it's an essential stop in your show collection.

HTH.

[Zac Yates]

On the other hand, the flying at Legends is tighter, faster and closer than many shows elsewhere - you'll see aircraft flying, take off and landing a lot closer than you do at most formal shows in the US (I understand) as the crowd line, IIRC is closer, and Duxford has a 'bent' crowdline.

Regarding close proximity of aircraft to crowd, come experience a Kiwi show!

Would love to get to Duxford some time, just to say I've done it, and see aircraft you just don't get downunder. Must say that, based on DVDs and photos I've seen, the action (and even parked aircraft) are miles away from the crowd compared to shows here in NZ.

[JDK]

Regarding close proximity of aircraft to crowd, come experience a Kiwi show!

Certainly the Omaka crowdline when I was there two years ago was comparative. Of course Pre-W.W.II aircraft are better operated closer than W.W.II types otherwise they can be lost.

Must say that, based on DVDs and photos I've seen, the action (and even parked aircraft) are miles away from the crowd compared to shows here in NZ.

Certainly not 'miles away' if you know where to go at DX. I've been as close as I've wanted to at DX (crowdside) on occasion, take offs (and landings, though that 'end's no longer there) sometimes closer than I wanted when press. As for venues for proximity and what you get to see, Old Warden (Shuttleworth) remains unbeaten in the venues I've been to. The natural 'amphitheatre', lack of crowd pressure and the curved flightline are unmatched that I've seen. La Ferte Alais and Omaka, certainly get honourable mentions in that bracket.

But this isn't a tape-measure contest. If you've not been, you need to go. As also to LFA, Omaka and so forth. It'd be pretty boring if they were all the same.

Regards,

[Dan K]

But this isn't a tape-measure contest.

On the contrary, James!

Being within touching distance of my addiction (without using the 400mm zoom) is near the top of my priority list. It's the lack of close-up interaction with the craft and their owners/crews that steers me away from certain events.

I don't own a camera bigger than my old point-'n-click, so these pics are all true distance. Now that I've tasted this kind of interaction, I'm afraid I'd personally have a hard time staying behind the lines at an event like Legends. But perhaps that's just me!

[k5083]

It is true that close access to the statics at Duxford, or lack thereof, is a big minus of the show. Yes, there is a flight-line walk but apart from the charge, it may not be when you want to do it. Aerial action is nice and close, but again, class stratification shows its head, as there is more prime space reserved for the extra-charge, gold-pass seating than you would see at an American show. I did spring for the gold seating. It is nice to have a chair and to be served good beer by waiters during the show.

If you go and are a shutterbug, be sure to bring a lens in the 100mm range (or 35mm-camera equivalent for your system) to shoot statics. I was traveling light and got mostly unsatisfactory statics because of not bringing such a lens. Who expects to need a short tele to shoot statics? The good news is that if you bring such a lens, there are not many people around the planes most of the time, so you can get clean shots.

August

[Mudge]

For good seats, IMHO, the best deal is to become a member of "Friends of the Fighter Collection". They have an enclosure that's free to members. Good seating and clear lines of sight. Sometimes that big Lancaster that's parked just to the left of the enclosure spoils a sight line, but not often. And the flightline walk is free to members.
OK...so you have to fetch your own food and beverage. Golly what a hardship.

Mudge the helpful

[Mark V]

There are some interesting and helpful comments being made here. Regarding the comparison between Legends and Oshkosh, I have worked on the flightline at both of these shows over twenty times so I am pretty familar with them but I think ultimately a comparison is a little unfair. Legends is very much a carefully staged 'extravaganza' of warbird flying. The display itself is condensed in to a tightly choreographed three hour scenario and its like nothing else you will see in Europe. Oshkosh on the other hand is still very much a fly-in (with an airshow thrown in on most days). A lot of effort and careful planning is put in to the Oshkosh shows by Warbirds of America members (I know as I regularly attend the highly professional briefings staged each day) but, in my opinion, the flying displays are still incidental to the Oshkosh experience whereas at Duxford the display is central to what they are trying to present.

PS: Some great shots there Dan - really gives an accurate flavor of what Osh is all about.

[Dan K]

There are some interesting and helpful comments being made here. Regarding the comparison between Legends and Oshkosh, I have worked on the flightline at both of these shows over twenty times so I am pretty familar with them but I think ultimately a comparison is a little unfair. Legends is very much a carefully staged 'extravaganza' of warbird flying. The display itself is condensed in to a tightly choreographed three hour scenario and its like nothing else you will see in Europe. Oshkosh on the other hand is still very much a fly-in (with an airshow thrown in on most days). A lot of effort and careful planning is put in to the Oshkosh shows by Warbirds of America members (I know as I regularly attend the highly professional briefings staged each day) but, in my opinion, the flying displays are still incidental to the Oshkosh experience whereas at Duxford the display is central to what they are trying to present.

PS: Some great shots there Dan - really gives an accurate flavor of what Osh is all about.

And I also appreciate all the comments. Believe me, this wasn't intended to be a competition, nor even a comparison really, as I'm convinced Oshkosh and Duxford are more contrast than comparison.

[Mark V]

Believe me, this wasn't intended to be a competition, nor even a comparison really, as I'm convinced Oshkosh and Duxford are more contrast than comparison.

I believe you! Its a good argument to go to both shows