Duxford Diary 2024

[DCW]

Duxford Monday 19th August:

More Tempest engine running today, sounded good.



Says it all:



More work on Hangar 2 lighting meant more movements into Airspace:

[Tom105]

I'm sure someone will post some photos later, but for information the Tempest conducted its 3rd test flight this morning

[Professor_M]

Looks like VP-FAZ should depart to Belfast tomorrow morning at 08:30...

https://www.radarbox.com/data/airports/ ... departures

[Domvickery]

Whats a vp-faz?

[Professor_M]

Whats a vp-faz?

A red British Antarctic Survey DHC-6 Twin Otter (this one appeared at RIAT this year sporting various probes and instruments) - at least one comes back just about every summer.

[Orion]

Whats a vp-faz?

A red British Antarctic Survey DHC-6 Twin Otter (this one appeared at RIAT this year sporting various probes and instruments) - at least one comes back just about every summer.

"At least one"? How many are they? I'd always assumed that this was the only VP-VAZ.
Changing the topic slightly, am I right in thinking that the aeroplane goes back via the North Atlantic, then down the Americas to Antarctica. Does anybody know where in Antarctica it is based.

[Pen Pusher]

"At least one"? How many are they? I'd always assumed that this was the only VP-VAZ.

VP-FAK is the other Twotter that usually frequents Duxford and very rarely this little beauty.


https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/ ... /aircraft/

[DCW]

VP-FAZ is one of four Twin Otters operated by Cambridge based British Antarctic Survey. They have a facility at Mount Pleasant in the Falklands, and operate from forward bases in Antarctica (one such at Rothero Research station).With no flying possible in the South Pole winter, they fly to Canada for annual maintenance. 'AZ and the others (VP-FBB, VP-FBC, VP-FBL) move to Calgary, DHC-7 VP-FBQ is presently at North Bay Ontario.
'AZ is the principal survey aircraft. It has been in service for over 40 years, and its equipment is serviced and upgraded annually. This year concentrated on atmospheric methane gas sampling.
The annual migration of VP-FAZ started this morning with the first leg to Belfast Aldergrove.

[Amp]

Having sorted the Twotter, any pics of the latest Tempest flight?

[Aviation Highlights]

Great to see this beauty back in the air, hopefully a sign of things to come!

Video link below:

[Amp]

Thank you for sharing that, watched it twice.

[TEXANTOMCAT]

Lovely to see- My instructor would have put me on a fizzer for taxying with the flaps down and ‘hitting the penguins!’ wonderful stuff

[DCW]

Duxford Friday 23rd August (Part 1):

A pair of interesting visitors today, the Aero Legends Dakota III 'Drag-em-oot' and French Air Force Twin Otter F-RACE:

[DCW]

Duxford Friday 23rd August (Part 2):

The Clacton Airshow attracted several of the Duxford fleet, including the P-47D and Fury from Fighter Aviation Engineering:























Back into Airspace for the Fury:







Many thanks to ML, DP and JK

More from Friday:

[DCW]

Duxford Thursday 29th August:

Today saw the first appearance of Spitfire LF.XVIE G-PBIX (RW382) the 'Suffolk Spitfire' in new temporary markings.
It represents Mk.IX MK924 of 302 (Polish) Sqn. Lots more info, pictures and video at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3271803896418934/







Visiting Harvard 'Cozy Rosie':



Lysander V9312 now flying with stub wings removed:



Also noted today:





1960 Comanche N111DT, repainted since her last visit from Seething:





Suitable artwork for a Cherokee:

[DCW]

Duxford Saturday 31st August:

Not much sunshine for today's Flying Day. Spitfire G-PBIX, in its new guise as 'MK924' spent the day at Northolt, returning just before closing time:

[Aviation Highlights]

Love the new paint scheme!

[Orion]

A few from today's Air Day

P1080724 by David Mylchreest, on Flickr

P1080734 by David Mylchreest, on Flickr

P1080738 by David Mylchreest, on Flickr
P1080771 by David Mylchreest, on Flickr
P1080756 by David Mylchreest, on Flickr


https://www.flickr.com/photos/68685377@ ... 319950022/

[DCW]

Duxford Wednesday 4th September:

A pair of today's visitors, Aeronca G-BRHP and Scout G-WDST:

[DCW]

Duxford Friday 6th September:

Several Duxford warbirds are already on display at the Goodwood Revival (Lysander, Wildcat, Spitfires X4650, PV202, 'MK924' and ML417, and this afternoon three more headed South. Bad weather and soft ground meant P-51, P-47 and Spitfire MH434 will be operating from Shoreham.













Also noted today:





Staggerwing G-BRVE departed after a period of maintenance, and was replaced by Yak 18A G-CEIB:

[DCW]

Duxford Saturday 7th September:

Two very different fighting aircraft today.
G-WAHT / D.2263 is a replica Albatros D.Va-1, built by The Vintage Aviator Ltd in New Zealand. Based at Stow Maries, it arrived from Old Warden and will be hangared in readiness for next weekend's Airshow:











From Biggin Hill, G-CGZU / LZ842 Spitfire F.IX has visited before, but this time she was in use with Classic Wings for their Wing-To-Wing experience:









With many thanks to TT, MY and MP.
Some visitors:

[DCW]

Duxford Wednesday 11th September:

Tempest II 'PR533' was taxying on Monday, today she was one of four temporary residents in Airspace: