Designed as a Carrierborne Torpedo Bomber it just missed WWII. In Korea it served as a light attack/close air support aircraft. It actually scored some air to air kills against early jets! It outlasted most of its contempories and served on with distinction throughout the Vietnam war. Many a downed aircrew owe their lives to the "Sandy" or "Spad" which flew top cover missions in support of rescue helecopters. See the film "Flight of the Intruder" for a graphic example of these at work!
This particular aircraft flew in from a French collection. It appears to be an F model (without the chin turret), however I suspect that it is in fact "G" model in disguise! Note the nose guns are not mounted in the distinctive blister mountings. This is one of the Stars of the film "Memphis Belle" where she played "Mother & Country"....which came to a particularly unleasent end!!
Click on the 1st pic to visit my B17 pages.
Click on the 2nd pic to visit the Pink Lady Website
The "Memphis Belle" herself is also pictured here. Actually it is Duxfords own "Sally B" which starred in the film. She too lost her chin turret for the film but it was re-installed. She is currently grounded after multiple engine failures and is desperate for funds
The flagship of the Fighter collection bearing their distinctive Big Chief emblem. She is painted up in RAF colours complete with D Day Invasion stripes. Click on the flying B25 to go to The Fighter Collection webpage.
Messerschmitt BF108
The 109's little brother. Used as a liason plane in WWII. It appears to be guarded by a Germain Paratrooper armed with an MP38. I did not get TOO close!
Bristol Blenheim
The ONLY flying example of the WWII light bomber. Blenheims dropped the first bombs on German soil during the war. This example was restored at Duxford by the Aircraft Restoration Company.
Actually this is a Spanish built "Buchon". The Spanish saw the wisdom of using a British Merlin engine in their version of the classic German fighter.
A prototype French lightweight fighter. Designed by Marcel Riffard just prior to WWII the blueprints and jigs were destroyed to stop them being used by the advancing Germans. A few saw service with the Vichy French airforce and also by the Luftwaffe who confiscated about 20. This replica was built from surviving sketches and the failing memory of the aged designer.
The "Brisfit" was a two seat fighter from WW1. It proved to he as nimble as many single seaters of the time. One of these is flyable and another is close to being in the air. The F2B served on well into the 20's and 30's "policing the Empire".
