OK, so just having got home from another great but in some ways frustrating day, here are some of the highlights. Unfortunately, because of a band of bad weather across the midlands, several of the planes couldn't take off from their home bases and we didn't get the Breitling Wing Walkers, Blenheim, Swordfish, B17 or Chinook, but it is the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. We got some fantastic tributes and saw the Red Arrows take off to deliver the fly-past for the Trouping of the Colour to mark Her Majesty's official birthday, then return before delivering their display. Firstly, for the first time in the UK, a genuine German ME 109 (albeit a "G" rather than the "E" that took part in the Battle of Britain) This one is owned by Airbus whereas the one we normally see is a post-war Spanish one, powered by a Rolls Royce engine. It has the genuine Daimler engine that sounds menacing. Now for the Red Arrows and their new (for this season) formation, "The Spitfire": Then the modern and the old - a Typhoon with a Spitfire: The Red Arrows with three Spitfires and two Hurricanes: ... and finally, a couple of Spitfires: Something else to be announced on Monday....... Edited to remove the dust spot on the sensor and I'm not sure why the second copy of the Spit and Typhoon...
Looks a good day out. As we're on the subject of aircraft, I just saw this today via the BBC. A cold war icon. I don't think any of these are still flying, unfortunately. Chris
Here is the update. Sunday August 18 1940 has become to be known as "The Hardest Day" when the Luftwaffe made an attempt to destroy Biggin Hill and Kenley aerodromes completely - thankfully without success. To mark the 75th anniversary of that day, a very special event is taking place and we are unlikely ever to see its like again. A total of 26 Spitfires and Hurricanes are gathering at Biggin Hill and are going to fly three "patrols" over southern England, before returning to Biggin Hill and, no doubt, re-enact something over the airfield. A total of 3,000 tickets went on sale at 09:00 BST this morning, so I wanted to ensure I had secured a couple before I posted this. Details of "The Hardest Day" can be found here: http://www.battleofbritain1940.net/0028.html And details for the anniversary event can be found here: http://biggin75.strikingly.com/
Thanks for the photos Stewart and also for the heads up re the upcoming event. I grew up and did all my schooling in Biggin Hill. I've got a small album of my first ever photographs somewhere from a Biggin Hill Air Show, probably 1973 or 1974, back when I was around five or six. Bet you can guess the quality of mine are nowhere near yours. Hoping to get back (now settled in Australia) in August to see my Nan who's not been doing so well so this event could be on the cards. Not sure how long tickets will last though. Will have to call the family tonight. Thanks again.