Duxford Autumn Air Display 16/10/05 - Photos

[robbo]

A fitting end to another good airshow season.

Rob

[robbo]

[robbo]

[robbo]

[DragonflyDH90]

As always, great pics Rob.
I was at Duxford for BoB weekend this year (a little Scottish mist!!!!!!) so as you can imagine seeing pics like this frustrates a little.

Just looking at the pic of the Hornet Moth, did Mark Miller display it over the weekend? did he fly the Rapide also?

[robbo]

I'm not sure, but it does look like Mark Miller in the Hornet Moth, doesn't it?

Mark's Rapide wasn't in the display this time. It's a beautiful 'plane and it really sets the benchmark for all future Rapide restorations. I was privileged enough to have a flight in it earlier this year and I'm still smiling from the experience. Mark flew the Rapide over the gathering after the funeral of one of my friends this summer, it was a very thoughtful gesture and one that meant a great deal to the assembled family and friends.







Rob

[DragonflyDH90]

Seems like we both have great taste in aircraft Rob.

Here are a few shots taken from my dodgy digital this September.

First two are the Miller Rapide with David Miller flying over Cambridge.

Third pic is from Torquil Normans Dragonfly enrout to his airfield at Rendcomb, to pic up a Hornet Moth that I was taking to the Woburn Abbey flyin for Henry Labouchere.

The last shot is me flying the Hornet on return to Rendcomb after the Woburn weekend flying over all the traffic on the motorway (gee its great to be above that lot)

Sorry about the image size for those with dial-up

[Dave Homewood]

Fantastic photos Rob, thanks for sharing them here. They're really excellent. I love that Hornet Moth, and the Tigercat too.

Nice to see your shots too Ryan. Cheers.

[robbo]

Dave, if you're a Hornet Moth fan, here's a recent photo of the example at Old Warden:

[DragonflyDH90]

Hasnt that Hornet just been sold?

[robbo]

Yes, it's been for sale for quite a while and I heard that a chap from Bristol has bought it. For the time being I think it's going to remain at Old Warden.

[Dave Homewood]

Lovely. Thanks Rob. I do love the red and silver scheme more, but an RAF sheme is nice too. Did it see overseas service?

Ryan, are there any Hornet Moths in NZ?

[DragonflyDH90]

Currently none flying in NZ Dave, the one I was flying in the UK is for sale if you want to buy it (one lady owner, flown only on Sundays etc etc. The scary thing is this is not far from the truth).
We have a one here on long term resto and there is a chap by the name of Russell Brodie, just out of Timaru, the has pretty much cornered the market on Hornet stuff (worldwide from what I understand, I could be wrong though) and has enough to perhaps do two or three.

Nice aircraft though, but definately one of de Havillands finest designs

[Dave Homewood]

Cheers Ryan. I'd like to see one returned to NZ skies someday.

What is that aircraft in the 19th photo down, is it a Trojan? It seems to look a little odd. Maybe I'm just more used to seeing them in US Navy colours? And what's the paint scheme about? Is that a genuine military scheme?

[Bruce]

That T28 is actually a "Fennec" built for the Armee de L' Air as a Counter Insurgency aircraft. It is based on a T28 C, hence no Tail hook. It also has a smaller nosewheel which gives it a different "Sit" on the ground. The french used them in the Algerian conflict to good effect. The colour schem is genuine, - although they also wore a desert Sand camoflage (with similar High Vis artwork) at times.
The aircraft that took my attention was Spitfire II (or is a a V) BM957 "U2". According to my Aeroplane Monthly mag, the colour scheme is that which was applied to spitfires flying off USS Wasp on route to Malta. This was when Malta was under continuous attack and despirately need reinforcements. The only way to get Spits to Malta was to fly them off a carrier. The Blue was applied as the aircraft sat on deck at sea, in order to provide cover on the long overwater flights.
This machine wears the scheme because it is (or has already been) to Malta in company with a Hurricane, for the Merlins over Malta commemoration of the defense of the Island.

Hey awesome photos guys, I have to mop up the drool off the floor!

[Dave Homewood]

Bruce, yes the Merlins Over Malta tour last month was a huge success and has een covered very nicely on the FlyPast forum with loads of photos. The Spitfire looks great, but will soon lose the blue plumage again sadly. It is a Mk V.

Thanks for clearing up the T28 "Fennec" - I thought it looked odd in its stance. Cheers.