An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 27 The actual start of the war was re-created using the newly restored Blenheim and three Hurricanes; the former is an aircraft for which I have waited for some years and it was well worth it. Configured as a night fighter, its short nose gives it a pugnacious appearance, although it is much quieter than I would have imaged. The battle itself was heralded by the appearance of a pair of Buchons, Merlin engined Me109s from Spain, masquerading as the genuine articles. These engaged in mock combat with the enemy stalwarts of Spitfire and Hurricanes and resulted in con- vincing enough dogfights. Apart from the autogyro, two other rotorcraft had resonances for me: a Westland Scout arrived for the static display, complete with 1980s camouflage as seen in Northern Ireland, while the mighty CH-47 Chinook flew with such fluidity and to such extremes that it was a miracle nothing detached itself! Witnessing such a large helicopter performing a semi-aerobatic series of manoeuvres is not something to be forgotten easily. It would have been too much to expect the Vulcan or the Lancaster to appear but the bombing campaign was not forgotten as resident B-17, Sally B, was fully serviceable, displaying its distinctive lines in a sprightly but safe fashion, it seemed. One or two complaints were heard in the crowd about the use of smoke to simulate flak damage or enemy fire, as it might cause concern to the uninitiated after recent air display fatal accidents; the initiated, however, hold no such reserva- tions, knowing what to expect at a mostly military air show. An unusual but very welcome display involved a Spitfire and a Eu- rofighter Typhoon in close formation, linking old and new. This was emphasised by the markings on the latter comprising green and brown camouflage and roundels from the summer of 1940. Soundwise, the raw cacophony of the jet's afterburners was in marked contrast to the subdued sigh of the Merlin. The highpoint of Duxford is almost always the finale in which a Balbo of fighters takes to the air to engage in tail chasing of various kinds; this year's formation comprised no less than fifteen Spitfires and two Seaf- ires, a most memorable sight. The sixteenth Spitfire may have become unserviceable, but who could complain about this great re-creation of the Battle of Britain, which remembered the Few in a fitting fashion? Special thanks must go to Esther baline who is the PR Manager at Duxford. No less than three Hurricanes were flown in the air display all in different colour schemes. Late model Spitfires were on show as well and their Griffon engines differed markedly in tone from their Merlin engined brethren. The Blenheim was a masterpiece of reconstruction and was a most welcome participant, flanked here by a gaggle of Hurricanes.

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