Yesterday saw a new event at Duxford - a 50th Anniversary 'Party' for the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight who gave their supporters a rare display of all their aircraft in one place. This of course included Lancaster PA474 giving its first public appearance in the colours of 100 Squadron's 'Phantom Of The Ruhr'. A superb day of no-nonsense formation flying, without the usual Airshow 'hoopla' of distracting commentaries, etc - just the sound of those wonderful Merlins and Griffons.....

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Thanx Martin!

Nasty looking "mascot" that " Phantom of the Ruhr". Hope he turned to something nicer after the war ended...

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Beautiful stuff there Martin, loved it.

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There's no honorable way to kill, no gentle way to destroy. There is nothing good in war. Except its ending.

Pardon me for not knowing this but next to the phantom there are these bombing tour markings, which has bombs and...torches (?). Surely not ice creams? What do they mean? Thanx!

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Ah ha ! Those are ice-cream cones which denoted raids on Italian targets.....

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Thanks Martin, I was wondering about that too.

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There's no honorable way to kill, no gentle way to destroy. There is nothing good in war. Except its ending.

A few more pics of the day ; judging by comments elsewhere on the internet it was a very popular day with all who went.....

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Those are some fantastic pictures - thank you so much for sharing them.

Those photos are glorious Martin. Thanks so much for sharing.

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"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance." Socrates

I'm curious, I'm aware that a bomb on the side of the Lanc means a completed bombing mission, but what do the ice cream cones and the different color bombs signify? (They are in the upper right of this pic)

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"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance." Socrates

Oops Otto

Though what do the red bombs mean?

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There's no honorable way to kill, no gentle way to destroy. There is nothing good in war. Except its ending.

Red = Berlin.....

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Two final shots from a day which I'd like to do all over again....

Genuine Battle of Britain veteran Spitfire P7350 ( the Worlds' oldest flying example of the type ) taxys out in the morning....




To be joined it the air by a new 'friend', the Eurofighter Typhoon ( pity the sun didn't come out until later...)....

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Brilliant pictures! I like the last one a lot, very anachronic and original.

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Great pics Martin.

Why in England is there NEVER any forward publicity about these events, just a ten second news clip that in effect laughingly says .. "Well today you MISSED the such & such event of the year"

Am seriously considering some online THEFT of that Lanc pic Martin -

Robin www.156Squadron.com

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I think it depends which internet forums you frequent, Robin Over at the diecast aviation forum we were all looking forward to this one for 3 months....

Next big airshows are Duxford May 20th and of course, the umissable 'Flying Legends' July 7th/8th. But I have to admit the 'BBMF Day' was a memorable 'one-off'.....

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Yes those pics are fantanstic keep them coming!!

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Ahh flying legends, havent been for years but there was a time when I wouldnt miss it, not got the time or money now sadly. Would be great to go again though.

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There's no honorable way to kill, no gentle way to destroy. There is nothing good in war. Except its ending.

Great pictures Martin, but are you sure about the Italian targets ice cream cones ?? Could they be torchs for pathfinder missions ?

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Don't suppose any of your pictures are at 1920x1200 so could use as wallpaper.

Those pictures really are fantastic.