We appreciate the support from readers like you at Foxiz. Through your purchases using the links on our site, you empower us with affiliate commissions.
On Sunday, June 20th the third IWM Duxford Flying Day took place at the Imperial War Museum’s historic Duxford aerodrome. And on Wednesday and Thursday of this week more flights took place, a busy week indeed for Duxford. Our intrepid correspondent, George Land, was on hand to report on the proceedings.
On Sunday June 20th, The weather tried its hardest to wreck what promised to be a great weekend of warbirds, with the Shuttleworth Collection’s Evening air show on Saturday and the IWM Duxford Flying Day on Sunday, but even the grey damp and, at times, dark skies could not stop the Warbirds of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and some of the Duxford-based Spitfires and Hurricanes from putting on a great show over the two days.
. (photo by George Land)
. (photo by George Land)
The famous ‘Polish Spitfire’ in markings representing the Spitfire flown by Acting Wing Commander Piotr Laguna, from RAF Northolt, on the day he was lost to enemy fire over France on the 27th June, 1941.
BBMF Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc. (photo by George Land)
The event even saw an appearance by the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s (BBMF) freshly-repainted Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc. Every few years, each of the aircraft within the BBMF receives a new paint scheme as a way of highlighting the enormous breadth of history and valiant actions which these aircraft represent. Typically, they time these repaints to coincide with major aircraft overhauls, and such was the case for the Flight’s Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc PZ865, which returned to its home at RAF Coningsby on May 11th following rework at Biggin Hill, now marked as a No.247 Squadron night fighter, coded ‘ZY-V.
Consolidated (Canadian Vickers) PBY-5A Catalina (Canso) OA-10-VI, 44-33915, G-PBYA, Miss Pick UP, s/n CV283. (photo by George Land)
Consolidated (Canadian Vickers) PBY-5A Catalina (Canso) OA-10-VI, 44-33915, G-PBYA, Miss Pick UP, s/n CV283. (photo by George Land)
de Havilland (Brush Coachworks) D.H.89A Rapide X7344, G-AGJG Scottish Airways Ltd. (photo by George Land)
Hawker (Canadian Car & Foundary) Hurricane Mk.Xll, RCAF-5711, G-HURI, marked as RF-R Sgt. Josef Frantisek DFM + Bar, No.303 (Polish) Squadron RAF 303 Dywizjon Myliwski Warszawski im. Tadeusza Kociuszki RAF Northolt. (photo by George Land)
Hawker (Canadian Car & Foundary) Hurricane Mk.Xll, RCAF-5711, G-HURI, marked as RF-R Sgt. Josef Frantisek DFM + Bar, No.303 (Polish) Squadron RAF 303 Dywizjon Myliwski Warszawski im. Tadeusza Kociuszki RAF Northolt. (photo by George Land)
Hawker (Canadian Car & Foundary) Hurricane Mk.Xll, RCAF-5711, G-HURI, marked as RF-R Sgt. Josef Frantisek DFM + Bar, No.303 (Polish) Squadron RAF 303 Dywizjon Myliwski Warszawski im. Tadeusza Kociuszki RAF Northolt. (photo by George Land)
North American (Canadian Car & Foundary) AT-6J – Harvard Mk.4 51-17110, G-BJST, flying in the colours of AJ841 Harvard ll of No74 OUT RAF Desert Air Force 1941-46, Wacky Wabbitt. (photo by George Land)
North American NA-64 Yale RCAF-3349, G-BYNF. (photo by George Land)
Flying Days are a new addition to the Imperial War Museum’s Duxford events calendar for 2021. Each event is themed around available vintage aircraft, both those based at Duxford and beyond, to help retell a specific story from aviation history. As the museum notes, “Each event will bring you the best aerial choreography, storytelling and conservation success stories from IWM Duxford through thrilling flying displays (subject to weather, serviceability and pilot availability) and themed ground activities.”
On Wednesday and Thursday of this week a three ship Spitfire formation, a very rare sight outside of an airshow, took place. “To get two different three ship Spitfire formations on consecutive days was pretty special, thanks to ARCO this happened this week at IWM Duxford!”
The formation included a Supermarine Spitfire H.F.Mk.Vlllc, MV154 in the colours of MT928, ZX-M, Sdr.Ldr. G.R.S.McKay 154 squadron RAF – MTO Italy, (Wednesday and Thursday), Supermarine Spitfire Tr.9 (L.F.lX) G-CCCA, PV202, 5R-H, No33 Squadron RAF, 2nd Tactical Air Force, (Wednesday), Supermarine Spitfire Tr.9, (H.F.lXe) G-CTIX, PT462, Finished as SW-A of 253 Squadron, Mediterranean Air Command, MTO, RAF,1945, from Italy and Yugolsavia on bomber escort and anti-shipping operations, (Wednesday), Supermarine-Vickers Armstrong Spitfire L.F. lXb, MH434, ZD-B, Mylcraine No 222 Sdn RAF, (Thursday) and Supermarine-Vickers Armstrong Spitfire P.R.lX, PL983, G-PRXI, No4 Squadron 2nd Tactical Air Force, RAF, (Thursday)
For more information about the IWM Duxford Flying Days, visit www.iwm.org.uk
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
