Flying Legends Duxford 08

[tembo01]

Motorway End? left of the control tower at the limit of the field? The reason I like the place by the Land Warfare Museum is that wherever you are there is an unrestricted view thanks to the slope. Other places ( including enclosures) you have to be early and stay in place , otherwise I find it difficult to view the planes taxiing by ( am short ) or to take pictures. As I come from Spain , I never miss the oportunity to visit the hangars and the restoration projects. BTW how is the Blenheim going on? Two years ago I missed the Spitfire lottery by one lousy ticket !
Heaven is a cottage in the axis of the Duxford runway.

[alphaalpha]

Display too short?

The action started at 13.50, when the Spitfires started up and took off a couple of minutes later. The last aircraft landed after 17.30. So at least 3.40 of virtually continuous action. If you ignore all of the other attractions, such as warbirds flying in and out before and after the show, the classic Tiger Moths and Rapides and even the continuous stream of visiting light aircraft, the ticket works out at about eight pounds an hour.

In my book, that's long enough for all but the most ardent enthusiast and very good value indeed.

Of course, I'm biased

Alan.

[tembo01]

Errr I meant I am short ! Certainly not the airshow. I don't know if it was a common practice at Duxford this year, but at the Ferte Alais show in France the fence line was dotted with blokes on ladders, paparazzi style and they really were a pain in the neck for the people inmediately behind.

[alphaalpha]

Ah, Tembo, I was referring to Bob on the Ground's post. He said:

"I must admit that I did baulk at the £30 entry fee for a fairly short display,....." I wqs surprised he though the show was not very long and that it was expensive.


Turning now to your point: the display limit at Duxford is 50 feet above the ground. Many of the display pilots are authorised to fly lower, but this limit is imposed so that everybody in the crowd can see the aircraft. So, short or tall, you should get a good view.

Alan.

[treadigraph]

Tembo, I don't know if ladders were a problem at Duxford this year, but our beloved commentators certainly asked people to refrain from standing on them at the front of the crowd line. I was in the Friends of The Fighter Collection area and no problem there, but then of course they are all extremely well mannered!!!

Only probs I had were with a tractor and my mate Mike's head, both of which made several unbidden appearances in the viewfinder just as the shutter clicked...

[JEM60]

People on ladders at the motorway end can be a problem. Other people tend to be a bit wary of asking them to desist. NOT ME!!. My friends and I have developed a good system of dealing with non-cooperative people. We bump into their ladders at the appropriate time, just as the best shot is coming. Works a treat, and to applause from other people. At Le Ferte my friend uses his large lense to bounce off the heads of children who try to push him out of the way. Behind the crowd, no problem. In the crowd, simply NOT tolerated by us.

[LowNSlow]

I took my 10 year old daughter to her first Flying Legends on Sunday. It only took us 45 minutes in a queue for the car park (I was surprised it was so little) and while we were sitting there she had the car windows open so she could watch and listen to the Tiger Moths and the Dragon Rapides doing their pleasure flights. She thoroughly enjoyed the show and the museum hangars. As we left during the Stearman display (she thought the wingwalkers were mad and cool at the same time) the Spitfires were taxiing in after their display. Her comment as they rumbled past? "Dad, they sound really good and they smell fantastic". So good to have a child who appreciates the smell of burned 100 octane!! Her only regret was she didn't get a ride in a Tiger but I have promised to try to arrange that for her from my home airfield as 115 quid for 15 minutes was a bit steep.

[S'land]

"Dad, they sound really good and they smell fantastic"

Not only intelligent, but the young lady has excellent taste.

[Good Vibs]

Your daughter is 100% correct. Thats entirely what I mean by the unnecessary commertary blaring out of the loudspeakers all day long!
We were lucky to have both B-17's stop in front of us and also enjoyed the smell!
Its just like a beautiful sunrise or sunset, you don't need someone to explain it all to you....Just Enjoy the Beauty of it All.

[swordfish41]

I have seen some mock battles and air assaults at other air shows and even if the organisers make the max effort they are still embarrasingly unconvincing. As another contributor said, there is a limited pool of old warbirds, although I have seen some interesting displays at Duxford, inc trained geese, aerobatic gliders, (no engine note there!) and quite a lot of wingwalkers.
£30 is a lot but these planes take a lot looking after. An hours flying in a Mustang for e.g. will set you back a few hundred quid just in oil and fuel. Take somebody who hasn't been before. Even non enthusiasts are enchanted.

[Bob on the Ground]

alpha,

When compared with RIAT it was a short display.

However I did say that it was small price to pay to keep these magnificent aircraft in the air. I do believe it was worth every penny and long may it continue.