Red Arrows & Spitfire at Biggin Hill Airshow (pics++)

[g3org3y]

Finally got round to sorting out my photos from June's Biggin Hill Festival of Flight.

Really good show with plenty to see, both in the air and on the ground - classic cars, model boats, r/c cars.

Was very lucky to get tickets, my girlfriend's sister's husband is a Red Arrow (Red 2) and it was amazing to see him in action.

Sorry I'm not massively into my planes so apologies if I miss-identify anything, feel free to comment/correct! Unfortunately was overcast towards the end when the Spitfires and Red Arrows took to the air. As such, shots aren't great, apologies. All shots take with an EOS 400D mated to a 70-200L f/4 non IS).

Enjoy!


Spitfire


Messerschmitt












Hurricane (I think!)


Spitfire


Pair of Spitfires


Pair of Spitfires




Messerschmitt chased by Spitfire


Red Arrows






Red 2 and Squadron Leader Red 1

















Red Arrows with Spitfire flyby


Comments/feedback welcome.

Edited by g3org3y on Monday 18th August 22:24

[rambo19]

Excellent!
I saw the 2 spits last weekend at combined ops MV show in kent, my dad was adamant one of the spits was a hurricane!

[Eric Mc]

rambo19 said:

Excellent!
I saw the 2 spits last weekend at combined ops MV show in kent, my dad was adamant one of the spits was a hurricane!

He probably didn't realise that some Spitfires have clipped wings.

Great shots too OP.

The "Messerschmitt" is actually a Hispano HA-1112 Buchon, which was a Spanish licence built derivative of the Messerscmitt 109G - fitted with a Rolls Royce Merlin.

[perdu]

They really are good photos

I have decided to like the "Reds in monochrome" shot best



But they are all really nice pictures thanks for letting us see them

[g3org3y]

Thanks guys, positive feedback always welcome.Glad you enjoyed them.

Eric Mc said:

He probably didn't realise that some Spitfires have clipped wings.

Can you explain what the advantages/disadvantages of this?

Were the Spitfires built like that or modified afterwards?

I think it's the first time I've ever seen a Spitfire with clipped wings, I'm assuming it was an uncommon 'option'?

[Eric Mc]

g3org3y said:

Can you explain what the advantages/disadvantages of this?

Were the Spitfires built like that or modified afterwards?

I think it's the first time I've ever seen a Spitfire with clipped wings, I'm assuming it was an uncommon 'option'?

Most Spitfires were indeed fitted with the "standard" length wings. However, for those that were being used in the low level interceptor or even ground attack role (i.e. under 20,000 feet) the shorter wing made the aircraft more manoeuverable at lower altitude - especially in rolling.

Later versions had detachable wing tips so they could be quickly modified for either scenario.

Rarer are those Spitfires with EXTENDED wingtips which were optimised for high altitude work.



The Spitfire wing changed in many ways between the original MkIs through to the final Mk24s and Seafire 47s.