The second flying day of 2021 held at IWM Duxford was themed to commemorate D-Day. As well as the museum hangers and exhibits there was plenty to see on the ground. At the Land Warfare Hall, the Duxford Military Vehicle Wing provided running demonstrations in the running area through the day while also offering rides in between demonstrations. Around the museum site there were a number of re-enactment groups to educate visitors.

Just ahead of the main flying display in the afternoon the IWM’s own Spitfire Mk1 performed a poppy drop during a flypast with the canopy open. The main display was opened, appropriately, by the Dakota of Aero Legends that had flown up from the base at Headcorn. This was followed up by the Duxford resident Wildcat from The Fighter Collection, the naval fighter flown to perfection by Pete Kinsey. With another nod to D-Day the pace then changed as a trio of Piper Cubs took to the air. Representing the role of the surveillance aircraft the trio demonstrated their slow speed maneuverability along with short take-off and landing ability. Having already got airborne the pace then increased as the resident ARCO Bouchon, wearing a temporary desert Luftwaffe scheme, went into a tail chase with the OFMC’s Spitfire IX. The pair performed a number of passes before being joined by the TP-51d Mustang ‘Contrary Mary’ who joined in to assist in ‘shooting down’ the Bouchon as it trailed white smoke.

Having sat out the 2020 season there was then a welcome return to the display circuit for long time Duxford resident B-17g ‘Sally B’.  Performing a formation flypast with the P-47 Thunderbolt before separating to perform its solo display. It then fell to the Corsair from The Fighter Collection piloted by Pete Kinsey to end the short display. As with the Wildcat earlier Kinsey flew the Corsair to perfection to provide another great display. Though the air display lasted just over an hour the ground exhibits remained open for the rest of the day until the museum closed.

With just a small increase in admission fee the Duxford flying days provide a great way to get a small taste of a full on air display while enjoying what the museum has to offer. Information on further events at IWM Duxford along with details of how to become a member can be found by visiting https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford

Event gallery – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3070237759910362&type=3

Gary Malkin