Battle Of Britain Day Flypast, Goodwood, 15th September 2015.

It was great the way things turned out in the end. We were a bit worried though when we were sitting in the queue of traffic and rain and wind came in with a vengeance! Once we had arrived the conditions were perfect though. Somebody up there is clearly a Spitfire and Hurricane fan too.

I will also add my thanks to everyone involved in this magnificent event. A day that I will never forget. I think I got something in my eye a few times whilst watching the event as they became a bit moist and then in the evening the same thing happened watching the Channel Four Programme.

 

IIRC there is only one Defiant extant and not in an airworthy condition. There are two airworthy Gladiators though but it would have been a fair old trip for them from both Old Warden and Duxford to the Goodwood event.

 

There were, allegedly, a Stuka (according to the BBC) and an ME109 too. Should have sent them up first

 

Just started to work my way through my images

 

taken at the event at 16:23 according to my camera

 

After the main event, one of the Goodwood based two seaters gave us a spirited display of aerobatics. The guy in the back seat is a wounded serviceman. Nor sure if it's the guy who stood on an IED or the one who lost his leg in a bike smash. Edit : This Spitfire was based at Goodwood for the event but its home base is Duxford.

 

Have any of you learned gentlemen got any idea of which aircraft formed which sections?................

As I haven't a clue, and an online trawl has drawn a blank!

 

I photographed each section as it did its flypast so will be able to do a breakdown section by section. Knowing where each aircraft is based should also help identify which colour section was which. I'll start on it later.

 

A valid point but as I mentioned, Old Warden and Duxford are a fair distance from Goodwood and maybe the owners would be reluctant to want to take them that far.

 

had my doubts about the time on my photo info so checked camera and it's showing 27 minutes fast so
the actual time should be around 15:55.

 

The clock on my Canon is an hour out (didn't correct for BST), the first takeoff shows as 13:00 (14:00 BST, bang on schedule) and that formation shows as taken at 14:36 so 15:36 BST I reckon.

 

Here's a list of the sections and in take off order. As some aircraft have undergone identity change for this and other events, I've included their civilian registrations. BBMF aircraft always carry their correct serials even though the squadron markings change from time to time.
1. White section
P7350, SM520 [G-ILDA], PV202 [G-CCCA], AB910
2. Red section
MK356, PZ865, LF363, TE311
3. Green section
R4118 [G-HUPW], PL965 [G-PRXI]
4. Blue section
TD248 [G-OXVI], MV268 [G-SPIT], SL633 [N633VS]
5. Orange section
X4650 [G-CGUK], ML407 [G-LFIX], PP972 [G-BUAR]
6. Yellow section
L6739 [G-BPIV], MH434 [G-ASJV], P7308 [G-AIST], EP120 [G-LFVB]
7. Purple section
TD314 [G-CGYJ], N3200 [G-CFGJ], BM597 [G-MKVB], P3700 [G-HURI]
8. Pink section
SX336 [G-KASX], RR232 [G-BRSF] (delayed take off)
9. Brown section
TA805 [G-PMNF], P2921 [G-CHTK], TE184 [G-MXVI]
10. Black section
AG244 [G-CBOE], MK732 [PH-OUQ], MT928 [D-FEUR]
11. Flew off on its own but returned with black section
KH774 [G-SHWN]

 

You are a star!

I just wasn't sure if they'd missed out a section with the numbers being 'light'................. everything was just happening so quick! or should that be ?........... and not wanting to look a complete numpty when I put my efforts up on line............

I can't compete with you guys on images, as I'm limited to 300mm on the zoom (but can't justify the expense of a longer one, as I don't do this often) and I was at the north side on Lavant hill, due to my mate not wanting to go to far - so shooting into the sun may offer something different..........................................

Never mind that I seriously need to send my lens to "the Vets" for some TLC - bloody shite that's got in! ......... .......... probably explains why the camera had hissy fits at the wrong moment!

 

I was using a Sigma 150/500 on my D800, no way I can afford the Nikon equivalent but if you are on a budget the Sigma can be picked up secondhand for under 500 quid. With 36m pixels I can also crop a fair bit without losing image quality which is a big advantage.

 

Another one from Tuesday

 

I've been asked about the blue Spitfire that was parked on the SE side of the airfield amongst the marquees etc. It was the full size replica of the prototype K5054 and now in the care of the Tangmere Museum just down the road from Goodwood.

 

Thanks for the tip, but I have no budget at the moment for any camera kit - if I splashed out on any the Mrs would kill me, and expect 'goodies' to the same amount......... bye bye bank account!

But as I don't do this kind of thing on a regular basis, I'll just have to use what I've got, and put it down to practise........... I will put a gallery up, and be open to constructive criticism... though, as said, i was on the wrong side of the flight line.

As I intimated on t'other thread, If things work out, next year could be different. ................ keep yer pinkies crossed for me...............

 

I know what you mean, when I took a deep breath and bought the D800 and two Nikon lenses it did cause the bank account to go a bit anorexic. I used the excuse to Mrs B that I needed a time consuming hobby in retirement but as Id been photographing steam for the past 40 odd years she saw through that one!