|
Flying Legends 2008
When the dates for the UK airshow season in 2008 were announced many were concerned about the potential repercussions of the clash between Flying Legends and the Royal International Air Tattoo. Worries about potential crowd numbers were commonly raised in the lead-up to the second weekend of July as aviation enthusiasts faced a dilemma of either choosing one or the other or perhaps trying to find a way to attend a day at each. Steven Hadlow takes a look at Cambridgeshire's big event, additional photos by Roger Hadlow. As it was, due to the troublesome UK weather enthusiasts found their choices made for them as the RIAT team were forced to cancel their event due to excess rainfall causing poor ground conditions. Thankfully, whilst the south-west had been hit badly by rain over the week Duxford in the east seemed to have weathered the storm, so to speak, and those masses of displaced RIAT attendees who made the long trip across the country to join the already large crowd of Duxford faithful were doubtless grateful to still get something out of the weekend.
The long trip saw the B-17 make stops at Bangor, Goose Bay, Narsarsuaq in Greenland, Reykjavík and Prestwick before finally making it's triumphant return to South East England some 63 years after the 390th bomb group left it's bases in Southern England. Whilst completing the leg between Greenland and Iceland the Fortress over-flew the sight of the 'Lost Squadron' recovery where, in 1992 Brooks discovered a flight of six P-38 Lightning aircraft as well as two B17s contained within the Greenland Ice Cap. The most notable of these finds is P38 'Glacier Girl' which completed restoration work in 2002 and is now very active on the US airshow circuit. It was also hoped that she could have attended Legends in 2007 via the same route, but engine trouble en-route had unfortunately meant that didn't happen.
In the days leading up to the event Liberty Belle returned to it's old home and performed several flypasts over both Framlingham and other old USAAF sites to mark it's return over the rolling fields of Suffolk accompanied by little friends P-51D Mustang and Spitfire Tr.9 before landing at nearby Bentwaters, until the early nineties a major USAF base itself, to meet some of the team responsible for looking after the museum. The completion of this mission was especially meaningful to chief pilot Don Brook whose father, Elton Brooks completed 34 missions as a tail-gunner in a B17 titled 'The Liberty Belle' whilst based at Framlingham before safely returning home. Elsewhere, there was plenty still to be enjoyed in the air. Resident Flying Fortress 'Sally B' was not only joined by 'Liberty Belle' but also by Duxford regular 'Pink Lady' from France. The sight of three B-17s in the air together could have been one to savour however long-term engine trouble left 'Sally B' grounded, the sight of three Fort's sitting together on the ground was a rare treat in itself nonetheless, perhaps never to be seen again in the UK. The audience were still treated to the magnificent sight of two of the great bombers in the sky as both American and French examples both flew together accompanied by 'little friends' P-51D Mustangs 'Miss Velma' and 'Ferocious Frankie'. Funding difficulties meant that this could be the last appearance 'Pink Lady' makes at Duxford, which would be a shame.
Also making a mark on the audience was the display of five Mustangs. The tail-chase routine was aggressive and really showed what the Mustang is arguably the most popular American fighter of all time. Particularly noteworthy in this sequence was the participation of 'Nooky Booky IV'. This Mustang, based at Nimes in France has a long history on the North American airshow circuit following the end of it's time as a part of the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1959 before it came to Europe in the late nineties. It was a pleasure to see this fine aircraft flown in such an energetic manner. A mass tail-chase of Spitfires also took place which, whilst being a little more reserved, was still just as enjoyable.
Thankfully the weather spared Duxford the worst of it's excess which had seen RIAT so disastrously curtailed with only a few passing shows troubling the crowd, one on Saturday afternoon as the balbo got airborne mercifully clearing before the Duxford trademark formation returned over the field. Despite the troubles in Gloucestershire it was good to see Duxford managed a successful show. Given the bumper crowd it was also pleasing to see that traffic in and out of the airfield seemed relatively smooth with few complaints heard. The line-up was up to the usual high standards set by Flying Legends and one suspects many jet-heads who made the diversion over from RIAT may well have found themselves converted after the show. |
Flying
Legends is the biggest warbirds show in Europe and as such has earned a
reputation for attracting special visitors from around the world and the
2008 show was no different. Star of the show was B-17G Flying Fortress
'Liberty Belle' owned by the Liberty Foundation, formed by aviation
enthusiast Don Brooks. The route to be flown in order for this magnificent
machine to return to the UK was one of great historical significance as
the plan was to replicate the same route that this B-17 and many other
USAAF aircraft used during the war years in order to complete ferry
flights to the UK.
As well as
it's impending appearance at Flying Legends there was also another special
tribute planned for the old girl. Sixty-five years ago to the very month
in July the 390th bomb group arrived at Framlingham (Parham) Airfield for
the first time to begin operations over Europe. Framlingham is still used
as a museum to pay tribute to the brave men and women of the USAAF who
served on the station. The original control tower still stands, lovingly
restored by a dedicated team of enthusiasts and now houses a museum
dedicated to the 390th bomb group (as well as the British Resistance Organisation).
Also
standing out was a powerful routine from a DC-3 Dakota, of all aircraft.
The Norwegian marked machine really thrown about the sky in a way that
belied the aircrafts rather cumbersome appearance. Also making a welcome
appearance from Scandinavia were the Scandinavian Historic Flight pairing
of P-51 Mustang 'Old Crow' and A-26 Invader 'Sugarland Express'. The
Invader in particular making a welcome return to UK shores. An unexpected
attention grabber was the first time appearance of the Yak-3 from Germany.
The small aircraft displaying an outstanding turn of speed and manoeuvrability
as it flew with the nimble nature of an aerobatic type.