Bomber_12th
April 5th, 2013, 15:41
This year's Duxford spring air show marks the 70th anniversary of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visiting RAF Duxford to welcome the USAAF 78th Fighter Group, as the 78th settled into their new home in May of 1943.
For this show, there will be a special four-ship formation routine flown by a group of pilots which is being called the 'Eagle Squadron', whose aim is to commemorate the history of the American pilots that flew from England during WWII. This 'Eagle Squadron' is made up of the pilots of the 'Horsemen Flight Team' - Ed Shipley, Dan Friedkin, and Steve Hinton, joined by the highly experienced British warbird display pilot, Paul Bonhomme.
The aircraft that will be flown for this routine include a Spitfire Mk.I (likely X4650), Hawker Hurricane (likely AE977, which has been in England since last year), P-47G 'Snafu' (78th FG colors), and P-51C 'Princess Elizabeth'. The P-51C "Princess Elizabeth", owned by Tom and Dan Friedkin, is being sent over to England from the U.S. for the show (as I'm sure many know, it was once owned by The Fighter Collection and flown from Duxford for a few years). The "Princess Elizabeth" markings were originally applied to the P-51B that was assigned to Bill Whisner (against his will), ahead of the then princess' visit with the 352nd Fighter Group. Besides a four-ship formation and a pairs display, the aircraft will also be flown in a display alongside the B-17 'Sally B'.
Here's the official press release: http://www.airshows.org.uk/news/2013/04/airshow-news-historic-eagle-squadron-flypast-at-duxford-spring-air-show/
For this show, there will be a special four-ship formation routine flown by a group of pilots which is being called the 'Eagle Squadron', whose aim is to commemorate the history of the American pilots that flew from England during WWII. This 'Eagle Squadron' is made up of the pilots of the 'Horsemen Flight Team' - Ed Shipley, Dan Friedkin, and Steve Hinton, joined by the highly experienced British warbird display pilot, Paul Bonhomme.
The aircraft that will be flown for this routine include a Spitfire Mk.I (likely X4650), Hawker Hurricane (likely AE977, which has been in England since last year), P-47G 'Snafu' (78th FG colors), and P-51C 'Princess Elizabeth'. The P-51C "Princess Elizabeth", owned by Tom and Dan Friedkin, is being sent over to England from the U.S. for the show (as I'm sure many know, it was once owned by The Fighter Collection and flown from Duxford for a few years). The "Princess Elizabeth" markings were originally applied to the P-51B that was assigned to Bill Whisner (against his will), ahead of the then princess' visit with the 352nd Fighter Group. Besides a four-ship formation and a pairs display, the aircraft will also be flown in a display alongside the B-17 'Sally B'.
Here's the official press release: http://www.airshows.org.uk/news/2013/04/airshow-news-historic-eagle-squadron-flypast-at-duxford-spring-air-show/