the landing as it was on grass and wondered if that was common place or not
Fighters typically operated from grass fields. In that manner they were always able to take off/land into wind and so avoid the handling difficulties that arise when operating with crosswinds. Now runways are concrete/bitumen and the new BBMF pilots are restricted to into wind ops until they have built up a level of experience on type before testing their skill with crosswinds. Landing on grass gives the tyres an easier life as well.