Imperial War Museum - Battle of Britain Air Show Report

The Imperial War Museum’s Battle of Britain Air Show

by George Land

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The Imperial War Museum’s Battle of Britain Air Show Related Articles

Over the weekend of September 18th/19th the Imperial War Museum at staged a Battle of Britain air show at their facility in Duxford, Cambridge, the last major show of the year at the former RAF Duxford. The weather conditions varied significantly over the two days from bright sunlight to dull and hazy, but luckily the predicted rain failed to arrive.

As might be expected for an air show with ‘Battle of Britain’ in its title, the event’s primary emphasis focused upon the two classic Royal Air Force fighters of that period, the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane. While four different Hawker Hurricane Mk.Is took part in the weekend show, a total of 17 different Spitfires participated, representing nine different marques – from the Merlin-powered Mk.I to the Griffon-powered Mk.XIV.

Spitfire Line up Z62 7351 copy — Just some of the 17 Spitfires on hand at Duxford over the weekend in mid-September, 2021. (photo by George Land)

Supermarine Vickers Armstrong Spitfire L.F.Mk .lXe PT879 2nd Squadron 767th Regiment122nd Division Murmansk Air Defence Force Soviet Armed Forces Z62 7375 copy — “The Russian Spitfire” – LF Mk.lXe PT879 portrayed in her authentic Soviet Air Force markings from when she served with the 2nd Squadron, 767th Regiment,122nd Division, Murmansk Air Defence Force, Soviet Armed Forces. (photo by George Land)

Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 V7497 G HRLI SD X P�O E B Rogers SD X No501 County of Gloucester Squadron RAuxAF Kenley Z72 8256 copy — A magnificent Hawker Hurricane Mk.I rebuilt from the remains of Battle of Britain combat veteran V7497. She bears the markings SD-X which she wore when P/O E B Rogers flew her with No.501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron RAuxAF from RAF Station Kenley. (photo by George Land)

Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 P3717 SW P G HiTT Soph Hugh PO W.M.C Samolonski No253 Squadron RAF built by The Gloster Aircraft Co at Brockworth 1940 Z72 8260 copy — Hawker Hurricane Mk.I P3717, originally built by The Gloster Aircraft Co. at Brockworth during 1940, she is credited with shooting down a Bf 110 during the Battle of Britain. Her squadron codes, SW-P, date from the time when P/O W.M.C Samolonski flew her while serving with No.253 Squadron RAF. It was he who shot down the Bf 110, but the aircraft was so damaged in that battle that the aircraft had to undergo a factory rebuild. The aircraft later served in the Soviet Air Force. (photo by George Land)

Hawker Hurricane Mk.l P2902 DX R Pilot Officer later Sdn Leader Kenneth McGlashan AFC No 245 Squadron RAF G ROBT Z72 8269 copy — In the foreground is Hawker Hurricane Mk.l P2902, DX-R, which Pilot Officer (later Squadron Leader) Kenneth McGlashan AFC flew with No.245 Squadron. (photo by George Land)

Buchon Rotte Yellow 10 Twin seat Red 11 White 9 Z62 7347 copy — Buchon bonanza – the opposition (r-l): Yellow-10, two-seat Red-11 and White-9. (photo by George Land)

The show’s opening act represented the Spitfire’s development from the early days of WWII through to its close. The three ship formation featured the Battle of France combat-veteran Spitfire Mk.Ia (N3200) powered by a silky-smooth Merlin III (1030hp), to the throaty growl of the mid-war Mk.IX, represented by HF Mk.IXe TD314 and its 1720hp Merlin 70, through to the thunderous roar from the Griffin 65 (2050hp) powering the late-war Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe (MV293).

Following the Spitfire trio came a four-ship featuring the Hawker Hurricane Mk.I, arguably the most important of the British types serving during the Battle of Britain, as they were more numerous, and had the lion’s share of victories in that stage of the war. Being incredibly complex to restore in comparison to the Spitfire, airworthy Hawker Hurricanes are significantly rarer. Indeed, it wasn’t that long ago when you could count the number of airworthy examples on just one hand, but the type has experienced a slow-but-steady renaissance over the past couple of decades, with a dozen or so now flying. To see four of them at the same air show is still a remarkable feat though! These two opening formations later starred in the massed ‘Balbo’ for a Big Wing fly past featuring fifteen fighters – eleven being Spitfires while the other four were Hurricanes.

Supermarine Spitfire F.Mk la N3200 QV Sqd Ldr G.D.StephensonNo 19 Squadron RAF Duxford April 1940 G CFGJ Z72 7924 copy — Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Ia N3200 getting airborne at the start of the show. This aircraft, or her identity at least, emanates from a Spitfire lost over Dunkirk during the Battle of France. Her remains were recovered from the sands in 1986 and painstakingly reconstituted into this remarkable aircraft which is now owned (following donation) by the Imperial War Museum – it is the only aircraft which they actually fly. (photo by George Land)

Supermarine Vickers Armstrong Spitfire H.F.Mk .lXe — Supermarine Spitfire HF Mk.lXe TD314 on left, marked as FX-P of No.234 (Madras Presidency) Squadron and Supermarine Spitfire FR XlVe painted in the markings of Johnnie Johnson’s MV293 during his time leading No.127 (Canadian) Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force. (photo by George Land)

Supermarine Spitfire F.R. XlVe G SPIT MV293 Flies as MV268 JE J No.127 Canadian Wing 2nd Tactical Air Force Gp Capt Johnnie Johnson Z72 7939 copy — Supermarine Spitfire FR XlVe MV293 marked to represent Mk.XIV MV268, JE-J, as flown by the legendary Group Captain Johnnie Johnson when he commanded No.127 (Canadian) Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force. (photo by George Land)

Supermarine Spitfire F.Mk la N3200 Mk.H.F.Mk .lXe TD314 Mk.F.R. XlVe MV293 as MV268 Z72 7997 copy — The Spitfire trio opened the show, representing the type’s development during the course of WWII, from the lowly Mk.I leading the flight to the vastly superior FR Mk.XIV of her left wing. (photo by George Land)

Supermarine Spitfire F.Mk la N3200 Mk.H.F.Mk .lXe TD314 Mk.F.R. XlVe MV293 as MV268 Z72 8010 copy — Another beautiful view of the Spitfire trio showing just how clearly the type evolved over the course of the war. (photo by George Land)

Hawker Hurricane Mk1 Flight Z72 8138 copy — Hurricane Flight. (photo by George Land)

Hawker Gloster Aircraft Co 1940 Hurricane Mk.1 R4118 UP W G HUPW in the colours of PO Bob Foster No605 County of Warwick Sqd RAF 1940 Z72 8206 copy — A Battle of Britain survivor, Hawker (Gloster Aircraft Co) Hurricane Mk.I R4118 marked as UP-W when P/O Bob Foster flew her with No.605 (County of Warwick Squadron during 1940. (photo by George Land)

Between the opening and closing acts, the show featured an interesting and highly varied collection of warbirds and other types of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft…

After aerial demonstrations by privately-owned Spitfires and Hurricanes, two Spitfires from the Royal Air Force’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight made an appearance. This was closely followed by the uniquely-schemed ‘Russian’ Spitfire Mk.IX PT879 wearing the colors it wore while serving in the Soviet Air Force during World War II.

Supermarine Spitfire F. Mk lla P7350 and Mk.L.F. XVle TE311 Z72 8278 copy — The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Supermarine Spitfire F.Mk lla P7350 leading LF Mk.XVle TE311 through Duxford’s skies. (photo by George Land)

Supermarine Spitfire F. Mk lla P7350 and Mk.L.F. XVle TE311 Z72 8290 copy — Another nice shot of Supermarine Spitfire F.Mk lla P7350 leading LF Mk.XVle TE311 in a formation turn through Duxford’s skies. (photo by George Land)

Supermarine Spitfire F. Mk lla P7350 KL B KIWI lll FltLt Al Deere DFCZ72 8349 copy — A beautiful study of Supermarine Spitfire F.Mk lla P7350 marked to represent KL-B KIWI lll which the legendary New Zealander, Flt Lt Al Deere once flew. (photo by George Land)

Supermarine Vickers Armstrong Spitfire L.F. Xvle TE311 SZ G represents TD240 SZ G No131 Polish Wing Grp Capt Aleksander Gabszewicz BBMF Z72 8359 copy — The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk.XVle TE311, wearing markings which represent the fighter ace, Grp Capt Aleksander Gabszewicz’s Spitfire Mk.XVI TD240 SZ-G, which he flew while leading No.131 (Polish) Wing. (photo by George Land)

Following the Russian Spitfire’s solo came a selection of American types, which featured the The Fighter Collection’s ultra-rare Curtiss H-75 Hawk and Merlin-engined Curtiss P-40F Warhawk, along with the B-17 Charity Trust’s Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress affectionately as Sally B. The latter aircraft is the only example of the breed presently flying outside the United States and is a crowd favorite at her home base in Duxford (and elsewhere!).

Curtiss H 75A Hawk X 881 G CCVH 22822 Curtiss P 40F Kittyhawk 41 19841 G CGZP Lee’s Hope X 17 Z72 8514 copy — The Fighter Collection’s ultra-rare Curtiss H-75A Hawk (c/n 12881) and P-40F Kittyhawk (41-19841) Lee’s Hope. (photo by George Land)

Curtiss P 40F Kittyhawk 41 19841 — An ultra-rare, Merlin-engined Curtiss P-40F Warhawk, 41-19841 is one of just two survivors of the variant. This aircraft is based upon the remains of a combat veteran recovered from the Pacific Theatre, but is marked to represent Lt Robert J Duffield’s aircraft nicknamed “Lee’s Hope”, which he flew in Italy with the 85th Fighter Squadron (Flying Skulls), 79th Fighter Group, 87th Fighter Wing; XII Tactical Air Command, 9th AF, in support of the British 8th Army. (photo by George Land)

Curtiss H 75A Hawk X 881 G CCVH 22822 Armee de lAir 1ere Escadrille GC Groupe de Chase 11 5 Z72 8533 copy — The Hawk 75 pulling up for a loop. (photo by George Land)

Boeing B 17G 85 DL Flying Fortress 44 83546 A N3703G flies as B 17F 10 BO Flying Fortress 41 24485 DFA the film Memphis Belle 324th Bombardment Squadron 91st Bombardment Wing Z72 8630 copy — Always a favorite at Duxford is the B-17 Charitable Trust’s Boeing B-17G-85-DL Flying Fortress 44-83546 – better known as the Sally-B. (photo by George Land)

Keeping up with the theme of bombing raids over Europe, the next act featured three Hispano Bouchons (representing Lutfwaffe Bf 109s) beating up the field, only to fall afoul of the “Little Friends” portrayed by the Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Nellie and two P-51D Mustangs, Contrary Mary and Miss Helen. Both Mustangs and Thunderbolts were based at Duxford during World War II.

North American P 51D 25 NT TF 51D Mustang 44 84847 and 44 14251 WZ I Contrary Mary G TFSI North American P 51D 20 NA Mustang 44 72216 G BIXL HO M Miss Helen Z72 8721 copy — North American P-51D-25-NT P-51D Mustang 44-84847 painted to represent 44-14251 WZ-I, “Contrary Mary” leading P-51D-20-NA Mustang 44-72216 which served in the 487th FS, 352th FG, 8th AF as HO-M, nicknamed “Miss Helen”. (photo by George Land)

Hispano Buchon HA 1112 M1L Buchon C.4K 102 G AWHK Yellow 10 1�JG27 Afrika Korps Z72 0611 copy — Hispano Buchon HA-1112-M1L C.4K-102 painted to represent a Messerschmitt Bf 109, Yellow 10, of I./JG 27 from the unit’s time supporting the Afrika Korps in North Africa. (photo by George Land)

Buchon Rotte Two seat Red 11 leads White 9 and Yellow 10 Z72 8732 copy — The Buchons heading off. (photo by George Land)

Buchon Rotte Airfield Attack Z72 8747 copy — The Buchons “attack” the airfield. (photo by George Land)

Republic P 47D 40 RA Thunderbolt — Allied fighters to the rescue – Republic P-47D-40-RA Thunderbolt 45-49192 “Nellie” leads a brace of Mustangs. (photo by George Land)

Buchon Rote under attack Z72 8797 copy — The two Buchons about to “fall victim” to the Mustang. (photo by George Land)

Following the adrenaline of the warbird tail-chase came a break from the WWII theme which included a formation aerobatics performance from Team Raven, who took to the air in their flight of five Vans RV8s.

Team Raven Z72 8910 copy — Team Raven entering a loop. (photo by George Land)

The Great War Display Team then took to the skies with six of their WWI-era fighters. These scaled replicas of a Fokker Dr.I and Sopwith Triplane along with a brace of Royal Aircraft Factory SE5As and Junkers CL.Is offered an extremely entertaining representation of what it may have been like to witness an aerial battle above the trenches during World War I.

Great War Display Team Sopwith Tri Plane Fokker Dr1 Replicas Z72 8937 copy — Great War Display Team’s Sopwith Tri-Plane under attack from their Fokker Dr.I. (photo by George Land)

Great War Display team SE5A F5459 Dr1 403 17 Replicas Z72 8946 copy — The Great War Display Team’s SE5A replica under attack from their Fokker Dr.I. (photo by George Land)

The show returned next to its World War II theme with a solo performance from Supermarine Spitfire Mk.V BM597, resplendent it its livery commemorating Flying Officer Wiktor Strzembosz of No.303 (Polish) Squadron. Sadly, Strzembosz lost his life over France during a mission to escort three Short Stirling bombers on July 8th, 1941.

Supermarine Vickers Armstrong Spitfire F.Mk .Vb BM597 G MKVB as Mk.llb RF M Sumatra F O Wiktor s Strzembosz No 303 PolishSquadron RAF 22303 Dywizjon Myliwski Z72 9830 copy — The Historic Aircraft Collection’s Supermarine Spitfire F.Mk.Vb BM597 painted to represent Mk.llb RF-M “Sumatra”, as flown by F/O Wiktor S. Strzembosz of No.303 (Polish)Squadron RAF. (photo by George Land)

What followed the Spitfire solo display was quite a contrast to the usual Duxford display, but a welcome one none-the-less. Three vintage military rotary wing aircraft made an appearance, part of the remarkable Historic Helicopters collection based in Chard, Somerset. The three aircraft on show, Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 XJ729, Wessex HU.5 XT761 and Sea King HAR.3 XZ597, represent types which were long stalwarts of Britain’s armed forces, but it has been many years since their operational days. As such, it was wonderful to see them in the skies again. Their performance was followed by several vintage types representing the British Army Air Corps, these all being based with the Historic Army Aircraft Flight at Army Aviation Centre Middle Wallop in Hampshire. The participating airframes included de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver AL.1 XP820, Auster AOP.9 XR244, Westland Sioux AH.1 XT131 and Westland Scout AH.1 XT626.

Historic Westland Helicopters Sea King XZ597 M Wessex HU.5 XT761 Whirlwind HAR.10 XJ729 Z72 9167 copy — A trio of vintage helicopter types, all part of the fleet maintained by Historic Helicopters. From left to right they are Westland Sea King XZ597, Wessex HU.5 XT761, and Whirlwind HAR.10 XJ729. (photo by George Land)

Westland Wessex HU.5 XT761 Sea king HAR.3 XZ597 Z72 1709 copy — Two of the classic helos from the Helicopter Collection – the former Royal Navy Westland Wessex is leading the Search and Rescue configured Sea King, which has only just got airborne. (photo by George Land)

Historic Helicpters Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 XJ729 Z72 9032 copy — An extremely rare airworthy example of the Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 (XJ729) made an appearance at the show. Operated by Historic Helicopters, it is the only such Whirlwind presently flying and belongs to Andrew Whitehouse. (photo by George Land)

DeHavilland Canada DHC 1 Beaver AL1 XP820 G CICP AAC Z72 9196 copy — Former British Army Air Corps deHavilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver AL.1 XP820 operated by the Historic Army Aircraft Flight. (photo by George Land)

Auster AOP.9 XR244 G CICR AAC Z72 9199 copy — Former British Army Auster AOP.9 XR244 owned and operated by the the Historic Army Aircraft Flight. (photo by George Land)

Bell Westland 47G Sioux AH1 XT131 G CICN 22B22 AAC Z72 9216 copy — Former British Army Westland Sioux AH.1 XT131 owned and operated by the the Historic Army Aircraft Flight. (photo by George Land)

Westland Scout AH1 XT626 G CIBW 22Q22 AAC Z72 9289 copy — Former British Army Air Corps Westland Scout AH.1, XT626 owned and operated by the the Historic Army Aircraft Flight . (photo by George Land)

The next segment featured naval aircraft, which included Duxford-based Plane Sailing’s magnificent Canadian Vickers Canso A (essentially a Canadian-built Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina) and two legendary flat top fighters belonging to The Fighter Collection: Goodyear FG-1D Corsair BuNo.88297 and Grumman F8F-2P Bearcat BuNo.121714.

Chance Vought Goodyear Corsair FG lD Bu88297 G FGID Flies as Vought Corsair lV FG 1D KD345 A 130 Grumman F8F 2P Bearcat BuNo121714 G RUMM 201 B Z72 9436 copy — The Fighter Collection’s magnificent FG-1D Corsair FG-lD BuNo.88297 is in the foreground, while the organization’s Grumman F8F-2P Bearcat BuNo.121714 saunters behind. (photo by George Land)

Chance Vought Goodyear Corsair FG lD Bu88297 G FGID Flies as Vought Corsair lV FG 1D KD345 A 130 HMS Vengeance Z72 9458 copy — The Fighter Collection’s FG-lDCorsair BuNo.88297 is marked to represent Royal Navy Corsair Mk.lV KD345, which served aboard HMS Vengeance towards the close of WWII. The aircraft is in a dive, and appears to be venting fuel from under the wing (photo by George Land)

Grumman F8F 2P Bearcat BuNo121714 G RUMM 201 B US Navy VF20 22Jokers22 Z72 9524 copy — The Fighter Collection’s Grumman F8F-2P Bearcat BuNo.121714. (photo by George Land)

Consolidated Canadian Vickers PBY 5A Catalina Canso OA 10 VI 44 33915 G PBYA Miss Pick UP sn CV283 Z72 9368 copy — Plane Sailing’s Canadian Vickers Canso A which served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as RCAF 11005. She is painted to represent a Canadian-built PBV-1A, which served in the U.S. Army Air Forces as OA-10-VI 44-33915, nicknamed “Miss Pick Up”. (photo by George Land)

The air show’s penultimate offering featured Duxford’s traditional ‘Balbo’ formation. However, rather than a massed formation of everything on hand, this Balbo featured only the Spitfires and Hurricanes. Mimicking a ‘Big Wing’ operation from WWII, the formation comprised eleven Spitfires and four Hurricanes, while a solo “Joker routine” took place when the formation was away from show-center. This solo “Joker” routine was extraordinary, one of the best such displays over Duxford in some time. It featured Spitfire Mk.V JG891, painted to represent a Malta-based aircraft of No.249 Squadron flown by Flt/Sgt John “Jack” G Hughes (RCAF).

Big Wing Sunday Z62 7619 copy — The Spitfire/Hurricane Balbo. (photo by George Land)

The fighters which featured in the ‘Big Wing’ included the following:

Spitfire F.Mk.1A N3200 QV (Sqd/Ldr Geoffrey Stephenson, No.19 Squadron, RAF Duxford)
Spitfire F.Mk.Vb BM597 RF-M (Flying Officer Wiktor Strzembosz No.303 (Polish) Squadron, Tadeusz City of Warsaw)
Spitfire F.Mk.Vc EE602 DV-V Mabel (No.129 (Mysore) Squadron RAF)
Spitfire L.F Mk.Vc AR501 DU-E (No.310 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF)
Spitfire H.F.Vlllc MV154 as MT928 ZX-M (Sqdn/Ldr G.R.S.McKay No.145 Squadron , RAF Middle East Command Italy)
Spitfire H.F.Mk lXe TD314 FX-P (No.234 (Madras Presidency) Squadron, RAF Bentwaters)
Spitfire Tr.9 (L.F.lX) PV202 5R-H (No.33 Squadron RAF 2nd Tactical Air Force)
Spitfire Tr.9 (L.F.lXc) ML407 OU-V (F/O. Johnnie Houlton, No.485 Squadron RNZAF, 145 Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force)
Spitfire Tr.9 (L.F.lXe) NH341 DB-E Elizabeth (Flt Lt Hugh Charles Trainor, No.411(Grizzly Bear) Squadron RCAF, Airfield B4 Beny sur Mer Normandy) SUNDAY ONLY
Spitfire Tr.9 (L.F.lXe) PT462 SW-A (No.253 Squadron, Mediterranean Air Command, Middle East Command Italy, RAF)
Spitfire P.R.Xl PL983 L (No.4 Squadron RAF, c/w THANK U NHS under wing)
Spitfire F.R.Mk.XlVe MV293 as MV268-JE-J (AVM Johnnie Johnson, No.443 Squadron, 127 Wing RCAF, 2nd Tactical Air Force, RAF) SATURDAY ONLY
Hurricane Mk.1 P3717 SW-P Soph/Hugh (P/O W.M.C Samolonski No.253 Squadron RAF)
Hurricane Mk.1 R4118 UP-W (P/O Bob Foster, No.605 (County of Warwick) Squadron, RAF, 1942)
Hurricane Mk.1 V7497 SD-X (P/O E B Rogers SD-X No.501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron RAuxAF, Kenley)
Hurricane Mk.1 P2902 DX-R (Pilot Officer (later Sdn/Ldr Kenneth McGlashan AFC), No.245 Squadron, RAF)

Supermarine Spitfire H.F.Vlll MV154 painted to represent MT928 from the time that aircraft was flown in Italy as ZX-M by Sqdn Ldr G.R.S.McKay in No.145 Squadron RAF Middle East Command. (photo by George Land)

Supermarine Spitfire F.Mk Vc EE602 taxies in after the Big Wing display ended. A combat veteran with over 100 missions, including the escort home of B-17F Memphis Belle on the homeward stretch of her 25th mission, this aircraft is painted to represent the time she flew as DV-V with No.129 (Mysore) Squadron, RAF. A prensentation Spitfire, her WWII construction was sponsored by Central Railways Urugayan Staff. (photo by George Land)

Supermarine Spitfire Tr.9 PV202 taking off. The aircraft is a rare original two-seat trainer variant of the famed British WWII fighter. While just a handful of Tr.9s were built officially, a significant number of new-build conversions are now flying, since the two-seater offers experience rides for non-pilots and those who wish to convert to the type. The aircraft is presently marked to represent 5R-H which served with No.33 Squadron, 2nd Tactical Air Force. (photo by George Land)

Caroline Grace’s former Irish Air Corps Supermarine Spitfire Tr.9 ML407. This aircraft, when still a stock Mk.IX saw considerable combat during WWII. She is currently painted to represent an example flown by F/O Johnnie Houlton in 485 Squadron (New Zealand), 145 Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force. (photo by George Land)

The Shuttleworth Collection’s magnificent Supermarine Spitfire L.F.Mk.Vc AR501 (actually license-built by Westland Aviation) is painted to represent an example from No.310 (Czech) Squadron RAF. (photo by George Land)

The Battle of Britina Memorial Flight’s Supermarine Spitfire LF MkIXe MK356 wearing the markings for LF lXc EN152 of No.92 (East India) Squadron with the Desert Air Force in Tunisia during 1943. (photo by George Land)

MaxAlpha Aviation’s Supermarine Spitfire HF Mk.Vlll MV154 is usually based at Bremgarten Airfield in Eschbach, Germany. (photo by George Land)

The two Spitfire Tr.9s in formation PT462 in the foreground with NH341 off its port wing. Both of these airframes are modern two-seat conversions of the standard Spitfire Mk.IX airframe into Tr.9 guise, although only NH341 sports the more authentic Tr.9 canopy configuration, while PT462’s is the result of a design change initiated by the late Nick Grace with his restoration of Spitfire Tr.9 ML407 during the 1980s. (photo by George Land)

Big Wing Sat Z62 7501 copy — The Big Wing during its impressive flypast featuring 11 Spitfires and 4 Hurricanes. (photo by George Land)

Big Wing Sat Z62 7518 copy — Another great image depicting the Big Wing. (photo by George Land)

Supermarine Spitfire F.Mk . VcT JG891 T B No. 249 Gold Coast Squadron RAF Middle East Malta 1942G LFVC Z62 7526 copy — JG891 comes in for another fabulous pass during the Joker Routine. (photo by George Land)

Supermarine Spitfire F.Mk . VcT JG891 T B No. 249 Gold Coast Squadron RAF Middle East Malta 1942G LFVC Z72 9654 copy — Commanche Fighters’ Supermarine Spitfire F.Mk. Vc JG891 during the Joker Routine. She is painted to represent an aircraft flown by Flt Sgt John G. “Jack” Hughes (RCAF) while serving with No.249 (Gold Coast) Squadron RAF Middle East Command in Malta during 1942. (photo by George Land)

Supermarine Spitfire F.Mk . VcT JG891 T B No. 249 Gold Coast Squadron RAF Middle East Malta 1942G LFVC Z72 9689 copy — Another gorgeous image of JG891 during her Joker Routine. (photo by George Land)

The show closed with another Spitfire solo performance from the Aircraft Restoration Company’s PR Mk.XI PL983, which carries an under-wing salute to the amazing people of Britain’s National Health Service in honor of their sterling service during the Pandemic.

Supermarine Vickers Armstrong Spitfire P.R.lX PL983 G PRXI No4 Squadron 2nd Tactical Air Force RAF Z72 9873 copy — The show’s finale featured a superb aerial ballet coming from the Aircraft Restoration Company’s Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk.XI, bearing its thankyou note to Britain’s National Health Service. (photo by George Land)

Supermarine Vickers Armstrong Spitfire P.R.lX PL983 G PRXI No4 Squadron 2nd Tactical Air Force RAF Z72 9891 copy — Another glorious shot of PL983 during her closing routine. (photo by George Land)

Overall, the air show was a very well organized affair with plenty of variety and content, and the aircraft were flown with amazing skill. The author wishes to extend a hearty congratulations to the personnel at Imperial War Museum Duxford for their endeavors – this show was needed by all whom attended!

Richard Mallory Allnutt (Chief Editor)

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Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends.

After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups.

Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.

Andy Morris says:

January 29, 2024 at 2:25 pm

Clearly the photo of the B-17 is not the Sally-B but rather the “Movie Memphis Belle” that used to reside at the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, NY for parts south and now west. Surprised the caption was prepared when the aircraft’s name is clearly visible.

- James Kightly (Commissioning Editor) says:
  
  January 30, 2024 at 7:25 pm
  
  The B-17 in question is G-BEDF, ‘Sally B’ based, and seen here flying in the UK in 2021. It wears the ‘Memphis Belle’ nose art on the starboard side as a continuing tribute from when it was working in the film. The former David Tallichet B-17 ‘The Movie Memphis Belle’ N3703G, in the USA in the 2020s, also doesn’t have the chin turret. The lesson here is not to assume nose art defines the aircraft – or is unique.

The Imperial War Museum’s Battle of Britain Air Show

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