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.

The Wonder Works

A few aviation related images from the Wonder Works open day today. For pictures of the locos and other exhibits see this blog post.

Hawkinge Heinkel He111

As mentioned below, I was at Hawkinge today and was able to take a few pictures of the aircraft outside including the He111. This aircraft was originally brought to the UK by the late Ray and Mark Hanna of the OFMC and latterly was with the IWM at Duxford. The powers that be let it go a few years ago seemingly in the belief that it was a post war Spanish CASA version whereas as subsequent research suggests it is a Luftwaffe WWII original. I last saw it at Duxford in late 2019 (first picture) and it went to Hawkinge soon after. The wings have been attched and it has been repainted and engine blocks hung along with port props and spinner. It is looking better and work is under way to fit cowlings and I believe that the longer term plan is to give it shelter. Today however I was able to take a few shots including some of the interior.

Hawkinge Battle of Britain museum

I have visited this museum in the past, probably 15+ years ago, but as they have always had a 'no photography' rule I have not been back. In the past this has been attributed to security reasons and more recently copyright reasons. Latterly the museum quotes respecting the wishes of families that have donated items for display but do not wish them to be photographed. Any of these reasons are pretty unique amongst museums I have visited in several countries but their museum their rules. However, with the expansion of exhibits displayed outside of the museum it transpires that it is permissible to photograph exterior displays providing you ask the staff on arrival. At the end of your visit they will then permit you to fetch your camera in and escort you around whilst you take a few snaps. It makes this aspect a bit rushed but it's a means to an end that encouraged me to visit today.

The museum itself is dedicated to the Battle of Britain and has an extensive display of recovered items, several full size replica aircraft of the battle, home front type displays, vintage weapons, uniforms etc and is a really interesting place to visit. The museum holds a full size replica of the Boulton Paul Defiant, built by Boulton Paul and is also home to the Westland Whirlwind restoration project most of the fuselage of which is now complete - but it is inside so no snaps!

The aircraft outside include three replica Hurricanes, a post war Spanish Ju52 (ex Cosford), a Blenheim project which will be a composite of four aircraft once finished and an original Heinkel He111 previously with the OFMC and then at IWM Duxford. Most recently the museum have acquired a Storch from Cosford which is currently outside but scheduled to go indoors sometime after the end of this month.

Including using the on site cafe we were there around 4 hours so there is plenty to look at although not so much to photograph.