Barely had ANY fun at all at Flying Legends 2012, Duxford!

[Dave Homewood]

Nice selection of shots. Is that actually a Magister on approach? It looks like a Chipmunk to me.

[JDK]

Some comments...

Buckmeister I think- it is the first time I have ever seen one fly. Not too many here in the USA

Bücker Jungmeister (related to the two-seat inline four-cylinder engined Jungmann) and the type the Aresti aerobatic system was written around. One of 'the' great aerobatic types of all time. And Jungmeisters have a significant US history with (IIRC) a particularly historic example in the Smithsonian collection, brought to the US famously in the Hindenberg.

A Jungmeister holds a 'below sea level' inverted pass record, and yes, it was with the sea there...

Magister on short final

As Dave's already spotted, a far less rare DHC Chipmunk. There's a static restored Maggie at Duxford, and the two flying examples at Old Warden up the road.

Sally B's flight deck

There's a familar face. G'Day Richard!

F model P-40's are as rare as they come that one looks to be a beauty.

There were none flying since W.W.II until the 21st century, when two were rebuilt in separate facilities both in Victoria, Australia. Judy Pay's example is still here, while this one was built for TFC by the late Murray Griffiths Precision Aerospace in Wangaratta, Victoria. Precision is still going and will turn out more gems like that, but Murray's much missed.

There are no other airworthy Merlin-powered P-40s.

I've led a sheltered life- This was the first Lysander I ever saw fly too

Still pretty rare, though there are two flying in Canada, now. That's the German equivalent, the Fieseler Storch's wing in the foreground.

DUDE! You need to get out a bit more often. That 'part of an F-86' is the ex Ben Hall P-86A FU-178 48178. It's the # 6 Sabrejet built and Ben spent years rebuilding it from a junkpile hulk, he then flew it locally in the Seattle area for a while and sold it to Old Warden. It was supposedly sold a while ago and was supposedly headed back to the states. I'm looking @ a photo on my wall I took 20 years ago of Ben, Paul Entrikin in his Mig-15, and the Boeing Canadian Sabre chase plane in trail at KPAE during one of the Air Fair shows.

Only 'A' model flying (with the split screen) and I don't know where 'Old Warden' came from - nothing to do with Shuttleworth, AFAIK. Operated by the Golden Apple Trust for many years, and for a while flown by Mark Hanna, IIRC. Covered in detail in Warbirds Worldwide's Sabre special.

That would be outstanding if she came to Chino. It would be amazing to see "SNAFU" and the "Spirit of Atlantic City" flying together at the Planes of Fame show some year.

It would, but not as neat as a warbird fan ensuring they got to both Chino and Flying Legends. As I'm sure Spanner would agree, I'd suggest Flying Legends is an essential call for any serious warbird aficionado.

Regards,

[SPANNERmkV]

Duxford is definitely a must see!
I am having to be mindful of my vacation use in order to see if it is doable again next year.

If it is not painfully obvious I came to Warbird aviation late in life, as a hobby, and have nowhere near the depth of experience as a lot of WIX folks. The first time I got out of Texas to see any out of state shows was the 2010 Return of TEXAS RAIDERS Tour.
It was different seeing Oshkosh and Thunder Over Michigan from a flight crew perspective. I know I missed a lot of what the public sees at shows... But then again I felt the CAWHUUUMPH of pyro going off under my feet, bouncing the B-17 around on a low airshow pass, so it all evens out.

But that means I am JUST seeing a lot of these treasures still operating for the first time. As I have said in previous threads, as well as to my fellow CAF Cols. "THESE are our good old days!"

One "miss" I intend to repair is I have never been to Chino's Air Shows. From the pictures I have seen from those who have Chino appears to be the equivalent, of Duxford in the USA. Chino is definitely on my USA must see list.

Reno Air Races as well. I may not have enough vacation this year to make it, but as soon as I can, I will!

Anyway THANKS for the corrections and elucidations... I will post some more pictures after this short break to pay the bills!


SPANNER

[tacoope]

If you want to see another Lysander fly come to Gatineau in September.

http://envol.vintagewings.ca/

VWC's Lizzie should be in the air, I don't know if CWH will bring theirs up. We tried to get to their show to have the two flying together, but had to come back to base with a failed brake control valve (lost all the air in the system).

BTW, love the shots from Duxford. I was there for that show many moons ago before I was involved with vintage aircraft, and it still probably ranks as the best show I've ever been to. The fact that there were no kerosene burners anywhere near the show was one of the bonuses.

Terry

[SPANNERmkV]

I knew I had Magisters on my brain for some reason- Old Warden's -

Detail of the Storch exhaust. Is the black canister an oil cooler or a venturi or none of the above?

The Germans sure likes landing gear splayed out. At least this was wider than the BF-109

[JDK]

Detail of the Storch exhaust. Is the black canister an oil cooler or a venturi or none of the above?

Oil cooler. Some postwar French examples had two fitted.

The Germans sure likes landing gear splayed out. At least this was wider than the BF-109

The Storch's undercarriage ('gear') is the epitome of long travel (the Airfix kit actually gave you both 'flying' and ground sets, as the two positions are so different). A Storch in flight has the main oleo almost vertical, while on the ground it has the splayed look that so entrances our Spanner. It's also set well forward, so even the most ham fisted pilot would find it hard to tip the Storch on its nose even in rough ground landings.

And today's odd Storch fact - While FDR and Hirohito didn't fly in Storches, just about all the other W.W.II leaders did at one time or another (Stalin had one gifted, Churchill flew in one, Hitler had his own, and Mussolini was famously rescued in one) while a future US President had one - Eisenhower...

You need:
http://mmpbooks.biz/mmp/books.php?book_id=166 Just out.

Regards,

[JDK]

Duxford is definitely a must see!

It's got to be on any serious list of the top warbird venues to call at.

It was different seeing Oshkosh and Thunder Over Michigan from a flight crew perspective. I know I missed a lot of what the public sees at shows... But then again I felt the CAWHUUUMPH of pyro going off under my feet, bouncing the B-17 around on a low airshow pass, so it all evens out.

We feel your pain.

One "miss" I intend to repair is I have never been to Chino's Air Shows. From the pictures I have seen from those who have Chino appears to be the equivalent, of Duxford in the USA. Chino is definitely on my USA must see list.

Yes and no. Chino's a great show, and stuff you won't see anywhere else, however Duxford's Legends has a number of extras over Chino; Legends is an international show (US and Continental visitors); and while Chino is an historic W.W.II base you're hard put to see it, while Duxford's history is on show; and the flying at Duxford is simply more intense and more varied.

Reno Air Races as well. I may not have enough vacation this year to make it, but as soon as I can, I will!

And there's nothing else like it. Here's hoping it has a good 2012 and is secure for the future.

Anyway THANKS for the corrections and elucidations... I will post some more pictures after this short break to pay the bills!

Pleasure, nice to live vicariously, particularly as it's midwinter and foggy here. Can hardly see the roos.

Regards,

[The Inspector]

I keep hoping that one of these Fly Days @ KPAE that FHC will pit the JN4 against the Fi-156 in a drag race the length of the runway (9800 ft) shouldn't take over two hours it's fun watching the STORCH slow down to a standing still hover in a 20 kt headwind or taking off in just about it's wheelbase.

[51fixer]

I remember the POF AN-2 landing with everything drooped and down. I think the tires rotated 6-8 times before stopping.

[SPANNERmkV]

Duxford is quite simply- hallowed ground.
I cannot do its history justice but what little I remember is that Douglas Bader and company flew off it during the battle of Britain before it was handed over to the P-47s and ultimately the P-51s that followed...

I have been lucky enough to read emails from Frank Bertciel and can report that his family has passed on pictures of Miss Velma from this year's Legends to him. Frank and Velma are still kicking, but no longer able to travel distances to the likes of Duxford.
I believe Steve Hinton gave him a ride in (the new) Miss Velma at Chino before it was sent overseas to Duxford.

As far as Legends go- the Brits have an expression "value for money" and if I did not think I was getting it I would not have returned for my second visit.
I believe Lightjug said it was his fourth or fifth visit and his wife was questioning him about giving it a pass one year and it was not something he opted to miss, given a choice.

I have seen occasions where airplanes at US Air Shows have been flown as hard as they are at Duxford, but those have been exceptions as opposed to the rule that one sees happening at Duxford. Everything that takes to the air at Duxford is wrung out, if it was designed to be.

Even the DC-3s make turns greater than 45 degrees bank angle.

Some of the "locals" were telling me that there was a day when British air show fans were agog just to see one or two Spits in the air at the same time.
This last show some fools were complaining because there were only 8!

My hat is off to The Fighter Company (and ARCO) and all the pilots and planes they assembled, and to the lady who organized the whole kit and kaboodle.
I came home with way too many books AGAIN and had I more money I would have taken some of the rides available. Last year I rode in the Dragon Rapide and I kept a lustful eye pointed at the Moths and the Chipmunk that kept operating this year.

Bomberflight helped make this trip possible and the folks at IWM and the Sally B foundation just sent it over the top.

Like I facetiously said in my title to this thread... I barely had ANY fun at all at Flying Legends...

SPANNER

[Lightjug]

My fourth year in a row and I didn’t have any fun either

Some pics to share......







A couple of P-47 Snafu





The Storch pilot had her hangin’ in the air with the wind that day.


TFC finally flew their corsair after my last three visits seeing her in the hanger.


A pair of Buchons




Some others.....










Oh yeah, this guy was hanging around. From the southern US... had a hat with the same state name... something Raiders... darn, can’t remember Was great to meet you Don!


Once I edit my video, I'll post a YouTube link here.

[SPANNERmkV]

Mark- I think you take better pictures than me!

Here's a few more bad ones.
P40F and P40B

Cool jacket- GREAT airplane

Don't see these every day in the same patch of sky

P40B on the roll


Closing my eyes and thinking of England...

SPANNER

[Lightjug]

Legends 2012 Video as promised. Let me know what you think. My “I can’t believe I got that shot” moment at 2:21.

[SPANNERmkV]

Formidable mon ami!
That is some great footage and gorgeous audio.

You even got the Frenchy-Frenchman Bernard announcing. I actually like Bernie's style.

Hope to see you next year at Flying Legends.

SPANNER

[1bdvet]

These are great shots, thanks for sharing!