The 27th Flying Legends air display organised by The Fighter Collection was held at Imperial War Museum Duxford in July where a capacity crowd attended. One of the largest warbird displays in the World 2019 saw the show the show commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings in June 1944. In addition to the three-hour warbird flying display Saturday saw a display from the World famous RAF Red Arrows display team, performing ahead of the regular flying display.

As well as access to the IWM hangers and museum exhibits visitors were able to enjoy a number of special displays during the event. There were displays from re-enactment groups in period uniform, preservation groups and projects, 1940’s fashion, hairdressing and make-up demonstrations, the home front bus and live performances from the Hotsie Totsies. Ahead of the air display the flight line was open for visitors to get a closer look at the aircraft taking part in the flying. There were also a number of trade stands that included specialist aviation books, models and clothing along with food vendors and bars.

As previously mentioned attending the display on Saturday meant we got the Red Arrows display ahead of the main event, unfortunately due to low cloud they performed their ‘flat show’ in dull conditions. This did not detract from their display proving as popular as ever with their tight formations and high speed opposition passes from the synchro pair. As the main display got underway around an hour later the weather was still dull but his again did not detract from the shows traditional opening from a group of Spitfires.  Both early and late variants took part and after performing formation flypasts then went into a tail chase sequence. Following the Spitfire’s were five Hispano Buchons, the Spanish built Merlin engine Me109. These performed as a trio and a pair with at least one wearing its scheme from the Battle of Britain film and including a two-seat variant operated by Ultimate Warbirds. The home based B-17g Flying Fortress ‘Sally B’, the last flying example in Europe, the performed three flypasts with a pair of P-51d Mustangs. The Mustangs then broke away leaving Sally B to perform her solo display as a tribute to all the USAAF airmen based in England during World War Two. The two Mustangs then returned accompanied by a P-47D Thunderbolt to perform their display. Changing the pace was Hugo Mathy’s Classic Formation from Switzerland lead by the immaculate DC-3 Dakota joined by a trio of Beech 18s. They performed formation flypasts before one of the Beech 18s broke away to perform solo.

A Battle of Britain tribute flypast saw ARCO’s Bristol Blenheim leading three Spitfires and the newly restored Westland Lysander. These performed formation flypasts before the Spitfires broke away leaving the Blenheim and Lysander to perform as a pair. The Spitfires then returned to perform a number of tail chases before landing. Next up was a new team to the display circuit, Ultimate Fighters, consisting of a P-47 Thunderbolt, Spitfire, Bouchon and P-51 Mustang operated by The Ultimate Warbirds company. The four very different types performed in formation before the Spitfire and Bouchon separated to perform a mock dogfight, won by the Spitfire. The P-47 and P-51 performed manoeuvres as a pair in close formation before the four aircraft re-joined to end their display. A very good display and one that hopefully will be around for a number of seasons to come. It was then time for the nautical themed section of the display starting with a trio from the Fighter Collection of Corsair, Bearcat and Sea Fury T20. These three big radial engine aircraft were followed up by the small Wildcat, also from the Fighter Collection, and the Duxford based Catalina flying boat. Following on from these it was the D-Day tribute as three Dakotas flew in formation. Two were carrying their wartime military markings while the third was in the livery of Pan American Air Lines, this aircraft owned and operated by Historic Flight Foundation having flown over from the United States for the D-Day anniversary in June. These were followed by a pair of L4 Grasshopper observation aircraft that demonstrated their slow speed maneuverability and short take-off and landing advantages. The Aces High Dakota returned to close the section with a solo display. The penultimate display took us back to the barnstorming days with the Aerosuperbatics wing-walking duo. The pair of bright orange Stearman Bi-planes performing aerobatics with the girls on the top wings. The display culminated with the now traditional balbo where all available aircraft get airborne for a mass flypast. Another tradition is that while the balbo forms a solo display is flown known as the Joker slot. For 2019 for the first time this role fell to two aircraft on the Saturday, the Hawker Fury piloted by Richard Grace and the Bearcat flown by Nick Grey. It is fair to say both flew a great slot showing the power of both aircraft. When the balbo returned it comprised of no less than 23 aircraft performing two flypasts before the sections separated to land.

In all, despite the cloudy weather on Saturday, Sunday saw much clearer skies, the show went well and yet again proved a success. Yes there were disappointments with no Hurricanes in the show and the public flying debut of the newly restored SH9 bomber being cancelled on Saturday, though it did fly on Sunday. These things can’t be helped, especially with old aircraft and safety is always paramount. The Fighter Collection again organised a great show and the organisation of IWM Duxford saw arrival. Parking and departing the event go smoothly.  Further information for next year’s show can be found by visiting www.flyinglegends.com

Photo galleries;

Red Arrows – https://www.facebook.com/pg/Snap-magcom-2061747147426100/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2541926239408186

Gallery One – https://www.facebook.com/pg/Snap-magcom-2061747147426100/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2541944506073026

Gallery Two – https://www.facebook.com/pg/Snap-magcom-2061747147426100/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2541965462737597

Gary Malkin