This summer, my family and I were fortunate enough to have a chance to travel to Europe. The main reason for going was to visit our friends Jorn and Krista Hovik in Norway. Most should remember Jorn. He lived in Carstairs and hangered various aircraft at Bishel’s for about 12 years. Since this was the first time, we had traveled to Europe we thought we would see some of the other sites as well. We planned on four days in London as well as a couple in Paris before heading on to Norway. I had mention to Al Botting that we were going to London and he put me onto the Duxford Air Museum. He said if you’re going, try and schedule for the same time as a Duxford Air Show. I did a search on the web and found that there was an air show planned for the weekend that we would be there. Not just any air show mind you but the Flying Legends Air Show. This event would consist of mostly WW II aircraft. The fighters would be highlighted on Saturday and the bombers on Sunday. We planned for Saturday.

Duxford is approximately 50 miles north of London. We were able to take an express train directly to Cambridge where there were shuttle buses waiting to take us out to the airfield. I wasn’t sure what to expect but started to get a good idea when we turned into the airfield and there was a Hurricane on a post out front to greet us. We arrived about 9:30 AM. The weather was overcast with drizzle but there was hope that it would clear. I knew from the website that Duxford has two large museums. We headed to first to get out of the weather and couldn’t get over the size of it. It looked like a large hangar from a distance but once inside I couldn’t believe how huge it was. This was the main focus for the museum. Inside there are several interactive displays showing how flight controls, propellers, wings and engines worked. There were kids young and old climbing over everything. There’s also engine cutaways, displays explaining how rockets work. Just about everything to do with flight is covered here.

Past the displays, you walk into the main hanger which is awe inspiring. There are so many aircraft it’s hard to remember them all. Hanging from the roof was a Mosquito which is hangs over top a Lancaster which sits in front of the Concorde. There’s a Spitfire, a large flying boat, several helicopters, multiple engine displays including an extremely large jet engine from a large commercial transport. Best of all you can walk within feet of them. Some you can touch.

Leaving this hangar, I had a feeling that I’d seen it all. Boy was I wrong. We walked around the corner, and the flight line came into view. It was like stepping back in time. It went on for what seemed like forever. There was six Mustangs, seven Spitfires, two Hurricanes, two FW 190‟s, one ME 109, three B-25‟s, two Skyraiders, two B-17‟s, two Bearcats, one Gloster Gladiator, three Yak fighters, one P-40, one Sea Fury and on and on. All together there was 67 aircraft on the flight line. Incredible, I rushed around trying to take it all in and get pictures of everything. As I was walking down the flight line, I noticed a crowd starting to form up but couldn’t see what the attraction was. As I got closer, I heard an engine fire up and realized that’s what the draw was. There was a Rolls Royce Merlin on a test stand, and they do a full run up about every hour. I watch them do it three times. It was fantastic.

At the far end of the field was the second museum. This is the American Air Museum. It too seems to be quite large from the outside but once again, after you walk through the doors it’s incredible. It’s hard to believe the amount and size of aircraft that are hangared here. There’s a B-17, B-26, B-29, even a B-52 and the SR-71 Blackbird. All around them are other important aircraft from the 1930‟s through to today. From the roof hang the U-2, a C-47, Grumman Avenger and a P51. There really seemed to be no end to the amazing display of awesome aircraft.

Making my way back to where the girls were sitting, (they gave up trying to keep up with me) I made my way through the vendor displays and discovered 3 smaller hangars. Once again these were filled with artifacts from the past. They included many WWII displays with scenes of aircraft and the men that flew them. There was the restoration hangar with many projects on the go such as a P-47, Bearcat and Bristol Bombers to name a few. The last of these three hangers was filled with war birds from around the world. Just fantastic!!

Around 2 PM, the air show got under way. I didn’t know what to expect, but for the next three hours I’m not sure if I even blinked. It was amazing to see three Mustangs take off in formation from the grass strip. It was like being there 65 years ago. There was never a minute that went by that there wasn’t aircraft in the air. Before one group was finished the next was starting their run. It was like they were all a part of the same routine. Most people will tell you that there’s nothing like the sound of a Rolls Royce Merlin. I will attest to that. Just imagine 20 or more. The finale of the show was a mass fly-by of every fighter and all the bombers except the B-17. I can’t begin to describe what it was like. I was sitting in the grass smiling and giggling, not sure if I could believe my own eyes. It was such a great experience.

I hope from my ramblings that you understand what a great event the Flying Legends Air Show really is. There’s nowhere that I’ve been that even comes close. If you ever get the chance to go to England, be sure and check the Duxford calendar. I know you will have the time of your life. Just don’t make the same mistake that I did. Be sure you plan on going for both days.

Cheers, Mike