D-Day 60^th Anniversary Air Show, Duxford
"More than just an air show"
June 6, 2004

On Sunday June 6, 2004, Duxford played host to the 60th Anniversary of the D-Day landings, air show. It was billed as an 'exhilarating and poignant tribute to the courage and tenacity displayed on D-Day and after'. Well that's exactly what it was. It was more than just another air show. 

The organisers must be praised for putting together an event that was filled with atmosphere, fit for the occasion. A modest collection of World War 2 aircraft were already lined up on my arrival. Numerous 'staff' were dressed up in period uniforms in front of the aircraft posing for photographs with the music of Glenn Miller playing in the background. WW2 veterans were invited and were proudly displaying their medals and British Legion regalia. A minute silence was asked for at 2:00 p.m. and was well respected. A reading of 'We will remember them', accompanied these solemn moments.

The recovery of the unfortunate Hurricane 2C (LF363 'US-C')

Unfortunately the event got off to a very bad start. At precisely 8:59 a.m., as recorded on my digital camera, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Hurricane, flying from RAF Coningsby, had an under-carriage collapse on landing. I had previously checked in at the media centre, and was just beginning to walk along the flight line when the Hurricane 2C (LF363 US-C) over flew the field and turned left to come into land. Everything looked quite normal. It was only after touching down, did the pilot realise that his starboard under carriage was not locked in position. He appeared to skillfully bring the much-loved WW2 fighter to rest with the minimum amount of damage. The right wing only dropped to the grass field as it curved towards, but some 100 yards short of the crowd line. The propeller was almost stopped at this time and only the propeller's tips struck the ground as it came to rest with a cracking noise. The pilot was swiftly out of the cockpit and away to safety in seconds, already assisted by an alert member of the Duxford ground staff. Numerous fire engines arrived within seconds. But only a small amount of foam was sprayed initially as a precaution. Over the next few hours the Fire Service and a heavy lift crane which was already on site, was used with the aid of air bags to lift the sorry looking plane to its 'feet'.
As usual at Duxford, for those who want to pay a little extra, are allowed to go right up to, but not touch, the display aircraft on the flight line. The modest flight line contained the 'usual suspects' of a handful of Spitfires, a Grumman Avenger and Wildcat, a P47 Thunderbolt, L-4 Cubs and five Yak 50's and a YAK 52. The Royal Navy flew in a Sea King and Lynx, which were displayed at the end of the line. Other more modern aircraft parked along the crowd line were two or three RAF Tucanos. Later a rather fierce looking Westland WAH-64 Apache AH.1 (ZJ218) from 673 squadron, joined them.
The B-17 Flying Fortress 'Sally B', took-off and performed its typical and hugely appreciated routine before disappearing off to Normandy. There it dropped 500,000 poppies over the gathered veterans. A pair of DH.89A Dragon Rapides G-AKIF and G-AIYR/HG691) of Classic Wings flew eager members of the public on pleasure flights throughout the morning, giving them the experience of luxury travel from the 1930's.

Naturally D-Day marked aircraft were prevelent throughout the show. Above Grumman FM-2 Wildcat JV579 'F' (G-RUMW), Spitfire Mk.16 (TD248 'HF-L') and Spitfire Mk.18 (SM845 'GZ-'I).

The YAK team from North Weald, just down the road, gave one of the best displays of the day for me. Not because I had not seen them before, but because it was really entertaining. Six of 'Aerostar' team's Yak 50/52's, resplendent in Russian markings, were flying in constantly changing formations of 6, 5 and 1, and 3,2 and 1. There was never a dull moment. You did not know where to look (or photograph), as they flew around in every direction with trailing smoke

The other revelation for me was, and what I would never have guessed could be entertaining, was 'Team Condor', comprising of two RAF GSA K21 gliders, flying as a synchronised duo. They were towed into position above the field, by two Chipmunks and released simultaneously. As they slowly lost height, we were treated to a series of elegant manoeuvres. I had not seen this before and was captivated throughout. To keep them in keeping with the D-Day theme we were told that they represented the many gliders used in the D-Day landings 60 years earlier.

As I said before, this was not just an air show, it was a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives and were involved in the D-Day landings of 1944 on the Normandy coast of France.