The Great War Display Team will be taking to the skies at Duxford this weekend.
As we commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, The Great War Display Team takes to the skies at The Duxford Air Show this weekend (Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September) with replica First World War Fokker Dr1 triplanes, a Sopwith triplane, Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a, Junkers CLI and Royal Aircraft Factory BE2. (Readers wanting to know more about the team can read all about them in the October 2014 issue.)
This will be the first time that Iron Maiden lead singer and replica Fokker Dr1 pilot Bruce Dickinson has displayed at Duxford with the team
Bruce said: “First World War aircraft are what I would term ‘unfailingly interesting’ in their flying characteristics. The triplanes in particular are independent-minded on the ground. In the air it is a pure dogfighter. Best described by its best-known exponent Baron Manfred von Richtofen: ‘It climbs like a monkey and turns like the devil.’
“My Godfather, Flight Sergeant John Booker, was one of Trenchard’s apprentices and is buried at RAF Cranwell. He is responsible for my love of aviation. I sat on his knee with his engineering models and listened to stories about the siege of Malta, in which he took part. I have his medals and service bible.
“This will be my first Duxford as a display pilot, so it’s a big thrill and I hope we stir the passions in the audience. It’s quite a sight, nine First World War fighters mixing it up, close and personal!”
Advance ticket sales are now closed for The Duxford Air Show. Visitors to The Duxford Air Show on Saturday 13 September will be able to purchase tickets on the gate in the usual way.
There has been widespread interest in the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s Avro Lancaster at The Duxford Air Show on Sunday 14 September. This means there is only a small number of tickets still available for sale on Sunday and we do expect to sell out.
For further information go to http://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-duxford/the-duxford-air-show-0
