Sally B take off

 Sally B lifts off from Duxford at the end of the Roll of Honour day last month.

Return to base

 The BBMF Dakota has been at Duxford for quite some while undergoing maintenance and a repaint in to a new SEAC scheme. It was close to finished when I saw it in the hangar in May and three weeks ago it was parked out on the flight line. It has now returned to the BBMF at Coningsby although it is scheduled to display at Duxford Battle of Britain show on 6th September.

Miles Magisters

 A pair of Magisters perform a nice duo display at Shuttleworth Military Air Show back in May.

WWII transport - Dakota and JU52 at La Ferte Alais in June

Short Scion

The Scion was a light transport plane of the 1930s that could carry 5 or 6 passengers and was built as both a land plane and a float plane. Only 22 were ever produced and just 3 survive. One is in storage in Belfast, one is in Australia and this one has been in the hands of Medway Aircraft Preservation Society for several years after being left derelict at Southend airport for over 40 years. MAPS have worked their magic and the results of their endeavours are currently on display at Rochester Cathedral where the aircraft will remain until 30th August. As I had a day off today I used it to pop along and check out the impressive looking restoration as well as the cathedral itself.

Sea Hawk repaint

The Sea Hawk at Midland Air Museum is in the midst of a repaint. Once finished it will be in Indian Navy 300 Squadron Tiger colours. Here is its old scheme which I saw in 2021.

Back in the air

It was looking good when I saw it in the hangar last Sunday and pleased to hear that this Wildcat had a successful test flight yesterday following completion of the repairs required after its 2023 mishap. Hope I get to see it in the air bed too long.

Duxford odds and ends

There's generally something going on at duxford, especailly in the summer so here are a few other shots from Sunday.

Sally B Roll of Honour

The reason for my visit to Duxford last Sunday was to attend the 2025 Sally B Roll of Honour day. This is an invite only event for those that have sponsored their name to be on the side of Sally B for the forthcoming year. It includes a buffet lunch, a chance to mingle with other supporters, meet some of the crew, get up close to Sally B, see Sally B fly and, this year, to be entertained by the D-Day Darlings. Of course if you happen to be on the airfield anyway you will see some of the laid on entertainment but not from the same vantage point and, of course, the object is actually to support Sally B and as this is her 50th year flying in the UK it seemed a good time to do it. Fortunately the weather was fabulous and it was a good day.

Off to Oz

Two well known Spitfires on the UK show circuit have been packed up for shipping to Australia. They are MkXIV RN201 which, in recent years, has been sporting an eye catching silver and red scheme alon with MkV BM597. The latter Spit in particular has been a regular for a great many years and is the Spitfire that we flew alongside in our Spitfire experience out of Manston some years ago.

TFC Hawks

All TFC Hawks were to be found in the hangar at Duxford yesterday but the P36 appears as though it is being dismantled for a move following its recent sale suggesting that the new owner is not within flying distance.

Duxford Musical Chairs

Although it is only three weeks since I last popped in to Duxford there has been quite a bit of activity in the interim in terms of moving aircraft around. In to the super hangar has come the Mig 21, Hunter and Lynx, Vampire, Phantom and, for the moment at least, the Be2c. In the front of the hangar in the exhibition space sits the Javelin which I imagine will be moved in to the super hangar soon. Joining the Lancaster in the exhibition space is the Mosquito, Swordfish, Tornado and Anson. Elsewhere the back of hangar 4 has been completely cleared with the exception of the P47 and Tempest which I guess were only there to give some space in hangar 2 for the R4D to complete its engine change. I assume that many of the aircaft in the exhibition space of the super hangar will be moved in to hangar 4. I will be able to check again at the Battle of Britain air show next month. Anyway, some of the usual exhibits in different positions: