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:

(Not) Ready For Duty

Douglas R4D has been on a Euro tour as has been mentioned in previous posts and was scheduled to have returned across the pond recently. However a concern with the starboard engine meant that a unit swap was required before the journey home could be considered. The aircraft is therefore currently in a hangar at Duxford whilst the change is undertaken. I was chatting with one of the crew today and work is more or less complete. The engine is one that was taken off the aircraft last year and has been fully serviced and should be run up soon. The crew will then fly it for around 10 hours to check that all is in order before heading home to Dallas. I wish them well.