Off to Duxford tomorrow...

[dipwing]

I'm off to Duxford tomorrow with the family. I haven't been in over 25 years and I'm so looking forward to it. Has it changed much??

Just looked on their website and didn't realise they had one of my favourite planes ever, the SR71. Last time I saw one of them was at Farnborough airshow but could have been Mildenhall back in the 80's.

All I can remember was it being very loud and the almost circular-like heat rings coming from the engines on take-off. Mum and Dad bought me a airfix kit of it. Fond memories.

It also happens to be a Formula One test day. Does anyone know what team/s will be there?

I'll post some pics tomorrow on return

[Eric Mc]

Lots of changes since 1988. The biggest would be the creation of the Land Warfare Museum, the US Air Force Museum and the new very large hangar.

[CharlieCrocodile]

dipwing said:

Has it changed much??

Yes, lots!

[Mutley]

Eric Mc said:

Lots of changes since 1988. The biggest would be the creation of the Land Warfare Museum, the US Air Force Museum and the new very large hangar.

Ditto to Eric, The Superhanger by the M11 contains predominantly British designs and a restoration area, then there are the working hangers full of warbirds and WWII exhibits, the American Air Museum and the Land warfare hall are at the far end.

It's a lot more organised now than when I started going on a regular basis.
Double check the website for their on the day activities. What is the age range of the family? as there are often school holiday activities that can be joined in.

[Cheib]

If you are going to be there relatively early pre-book your tickets. I went a couple of weeks ago with my kids...there was a 15 min queue to get in soon after opening....if you pre-book it's straight to the front.

[lufbramatt]

Was up there last week. We were treated to a lovely display by a P-51 and they were doing engine runs on the P-40F which sounded great. Make sure to get there early as there's lots to get round and have lots of coffee stops.

American air museum is my favourite part, the B-52 is massive

If you're taking kids there's the Airfix make+paint in the superhanger next to the shackleton.

[dipwing]

Cool. Cheers for advice chaps.
Will report back tomorrow night with photos!

[Simpo Two]

25 years ago? You'd have found 19 Squadron and their 2-bladed Spits!

[dipwing]

We're back and as promised some photos.
Not the best as I forgot to change the picture quality.
Anyway enjoy..

Oh by the way I fooking loved it and am planning to go to 2014 airshow (not about for this years).

[Eric Mc]

Great that you enjoyed it. I'm due a trip back there. I haven't been since 2004.

[dipwing]

The F1 testing was cancelled as the team, Force India apparently "turned up without a car"
Not sure if they need to spend the time repairing Di Resta's car from the weekend.

[dipwing]

Took this with my Nokia Lumia phone



Shame about the first section being out of focus.

[Mutley]

Sounds like you had a great day. Looks like it too, and I didn't realise Black6 was flying again.
Always good to have something flying on the day, breaks up the static bits

dipwing said:

[Simpo Two]

dipwing said:

The F1 testing was cancelled as the team, Force India apparently "turned up without a car"

Spanners - check
Tyres - check
Fuel thingy - check
Laptop - check
Car - dang, I knew there was something missing...

[Eric Mc]

Mutley said:

Sounds like you had a great day. Looks like it too, and I didn't realise Black6 was flying again.
Always good to have something flying on the day, breaks up the static bits

dipwing said:

Black 6 rests comfortably and silently in the "Milestones of Flight" hall at RAF Hendon. And that is where she will be staying.

The "109" in the photo is actually a Merlin powered Spanish derivative of the 109G, the Hispano HA1112 Buchon.

[Mutley]

Eric Mc said:

Mutley said:

Sounds like you had a great day. Looks like it too, and I didn't realise Black6 was flying again.
Always good to have something flying on the day, breaks up the static bits

dipwing said:

Black 6 rests comfortably and silently in the "Milestones of Flight" hall at RAF Hendon. And that is where she will be staying.

The "109" in the photo is actually a Merlin powered Spanish derivative of the 109G, the Hispano HA1112 Buchon.

Ah, thanks for that. I admit, it was hard to see on a phone and I didn't look closely when I posted at work. I made a presumption based on the paintwork, and now I look on properly on a pc I see the smile under the prop.

[Eric Mc]

And the bulges over the exhaust stacks.

[eccles]

Like the OP, last time I went was back end of the 80's, and most of the 'modern' RAF stuff in the pictures above was still in service!

[dipwing]

A couple more....

[Ali Chappussy]

Simpo Two said:

Spanners - check
Tyres - check
Fuel thingy - check
Laptop - check
Car - dang, I knew there was something missing...

Good ole Vijay, couldn't organise the proverbial!