Duxford, UK - Unique Eagle Squadron commemorative formation

[Elliott Marsh - GAR]

The May Bank Holiday weekend saw the unique Eagle Squadron formation of Hurricane Mk.X, Spitfire Mk.Ia, P-51C Mustang & P-47G Thunderbolt taking to the skies for the first time as a team above IWM Duxford. The ‘Squadron was the highlight of the Spring Air Show 2013 flying programme on Sunday 26 May, and continued their tribute to the US airmen who flew from the UK with a commemorative flypast over American World War Two stations on Monday 27 May. GAR was at Duxford for the whole weekend to cover a once in a lifetime spectacle that will live long in the memory -- with comments from Dan Friedkin and the legendary Bud Anderson.

I may be biased, but some of the photographs are pretty sensational!

http://globalaviationresource.com/v2/2013/05/31/remembering-the-mighty-eighth-pt-7-iwm-duxfords-eagle-squadron-soars/

[Matt Gunsch]

Looking at the photos, I have to ask, Does the pilot of the 47 know how to fly formation ? seems like he is out of position all the time.

[big fatty]

your joking aren't you

[Tim Savage]

Matt: I hope your joking...because Hinton is flying the 47...and I kind of think he has the formation thing down.

[Tim Savage]

Matt: I hope your joking...because Hinton is flying the 47...and I kind of think he has the formation thing down.

[Aeronut]

I think the problem with the formation is the fact that the Spit and the P-51 are too far forward and that makes Mr Hinton's contribution look shabby.

[Mike]

I think the problem with the formation is the fact that the Spit and the P-51 are too far forward and that makes Mr Hinton's contribution look shabby.

You'd best have a word with messrs Shipley and Friedkin about that then.

Great job with the write-up E

[DH82EH]

Elliott,
You go right on ahead and be biased. Those are some outstanding photos!
Thank you for sharing those.

I bet Bud Anderson is a high class guy to hang around with. No doubt he enjoyed the day.

The significance of the event, for veterans, must be so much deeper than for those of us who were not there.
Hopefully the respect for them and their fallen comrades is never lost.

Andy Scott

[51fixer]

On FB their was a cool photo of Young Steven Hinton in the front of the TFC TF-51 with Bud in the back.
A great young one of the new generation with a great one of the greatest generation.
Great stuff.

[Jerry O'Neill]

Awesome pics on an awesome tribute! I'm always amazed at how big, and bulky the Jug looks compared to the other fighters. What a brute!

[Matt Gunsch]

I was not kidding, the 47 was too far back most of the time, see here
http://globalaviationresource.com/v2/wp ... 13_019.jpg

in this one he should be in line behind the lead 51, instead it looks likes he does not know where he belongs
http://globalaviationresource.com/v2/wp ... n_1171.jpg

should be behind the Hurricane, or is it some new version of a finger 4 ?
http://globalaviationresource.com/v2/wp ... medium.jpg

[eallen]

Rich,

Where on facebook can I find the pics?

Thanks!
Eric

[bdk]

I was not kidding, the 47 was too far back most of the time, see here
http://globalaviationresource.com/v2/wp ... 13_019.jpg

in this one he should be in line behind the lead 51, instead it looks likes he does not know where he belongs
http://globalaviationresource.com/v2/wp ... n_1171.jpg

should be behind the Hurricane, or is it some new version of a finger 4 ?
http://globalaviationresource.com/v2/wp ... medium.jpg

The P-47 is lower than the other aircraft (by design in a diamond formation). I think what you are seeing is akin to parallax error. If you looked from straight below or directly from the side, everyone would look to be exactly in the right place.

Maybe stretch out a coat hanger and put some paper airplanes on it if my explanation doesn't make sense, or look at a Blue Angels formation when they are maneuvering in a similar fashion.

P.S. The jets are all at the same altitude, the warbirds are staggered down.

[k5083]

Actually I think Matt is right, it is not just parallax error, but the real issue is that the Spit and Mustang are up too far ahead. If you imagine the P-47 overlapping them to the same extent that they overlap the Hurricane, his prop would be right on the Hurricane's tail and you have a rather squashed, maybe even unsafe, diamond. If the Spit and Mustang had trailed the Hurri a bit more, it would have been a more square more balanced diamond if seen from directly below. Also would have been a better match with the Red Arrows who were flying with little or no longitudinal overlap.

Heck, what is the world coming to when you can't expect a bunch of top pilots to travel a third of the way around the world, hop into unfamiliar planes and achieve a fully thought-out, aesthetically ideal parade ground formation after a day or two's practice?

August

[Mark Allen M]

And because of this 'outrageously poor' attempt at formation flying these photos will NOT command full value on Ebay now.