The sustained rumble vibrates through your entire body. A sea of spinning propeller blades shimmer and shine in the late afternoon sun. It’s a symphony of piston engine wonder as Merlins, Griffons, Allison Centauraus, Wasps, and Wrights purr and growl, ready for take-off. Over twenty fully restored World War II fighters are lined up ready for take-off. The fact that all these aircraft are there in front of you is a wonder in itself, but more importantly the living breathing history it represents is astonishing. Nowhere else on earth will you see some of the most historic aircraft of World War II all lined up ready for a mass take-off. And the lineup is impressive. With their noses pointed into the wind one can clearly pick out seven Spitfires and six Mustangs, a Seafire, Sea Fury, two Skyraiders, three Hurricanes, along with one Fw 190, a Bf 109 Bouchon, two Yak 9s, one Yak 3 and three twin engine B-25 Mitchell bombers.
With brakes on and hands on the throttle the pilots slowly increase the RPMs. The radios crackle as clearance for take-off is given and slowly the first fighter begins to roll. The dam is broken. As the first aircraft bites into the wind and rises from the ground the second aircraft is close behind, and just as the first aircraft takes to the air there are four more roaring down the field in hot pursuit. The sight is inspiring, the sound unforgettable and in just over a minute all aircraft are airborne. This is the beginning of the grand finale and the end to a great day of amazing flying.
Every summer in July the Flying Legends Air Show tears up the sky above Duxford. Described as ‘the worlds’ greatest air show’ it’s two days of pure aeronautical magic. Not just an air show, Flying Legends is aviation theatre of the highest level. The stars of the show are the sleek and powerful World War II piston engine fighters. Built for speed and menacing in character, these swift creatures come in all shapes, sizes and colours. The elegant and graceful Spitfire looks almost fragile sitting beside the muscle bound and pugnacious Hawker Sea Fury. The fabric covered Gloster Gladiator bi-plane fighter seems quaint compared to the brutish Fw 190. In the air these aircraft are transformed. To say that the flying display is impressive is an understatement. The choreography is sublime with a hypnotic quality that captures your senses and holds them all afternoon. The flight line is set up so that all the aircraft are pointed towards the crowd with a taxiway directly in front. In order to reach the end of the runway for take-off the aircraft must taxi in front of the crowd, giving everyone the opportunity for great photographs and all engine starts are there for all to see.
