Battle of Britain Movie Re-enactment - Duxford Battle of Britain Airshow 2023

A representative re-enactment of the 1968/9 'Battle of Britain' Movie provided the open act entertainment for The Imperial War Museum Duxford's 'Battle of Britain Airshow', which was held over the two days on 16 and 17 September 2023.
The former Royal Air Force (RAF) Duxford, which is now one of the sites owned by The Imperial War Museum, was opened in 1918, towards the end of World War 1. It was a training base and during 1924 it became one of the first RAF Fighter Stations. During 1938 two of its squadrons, 19 Squadron and 66 Squadron, were the first to receive Supermarine Spitfires.
In 1940 RAF Fighter Command's defence of the United Kingdom was divided into 5 flying groups. RAF Duxford was the southernmost station within 12 Group, covering the Midlands and East Anglia. It was also a sector station which meant it was responsible for directing squadrons into battle. It was to play a vital role in defending the United Kingdom from the German Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain and beyond. Hawker Hurricanes arrived at Duxford in July 1940 with the formation of 310 Squadron, which consisted of Czechoslovakian pilots who had escaped from France.
On 9 September the Duxford squadrons successfully intercepted and turned back a large force of German bombers before they reached their target. This proved Duxford's importance, so two more squadrons were added, No. 302 (Polish) Squadron RAF with Hurricanes, and the Spitfires of No. 611 Auxiliary Squadron.

On average sixty Spitfires and Hurricanes were dispersed around Duxford and its nearby satellite airfield, RAF Fowlmere, every day. On 15 September 1940 they twice took to the air to repulse Luftwaffe aircraft intent on bombing London. RAF Fighter Command was victorious, the threat of invasion passed and Duxford's squadrons had played a critical role. This became known as 'Battle of Britain Day'.

In 1968, Duxford became famous as one of the principle locations for
the aircraft and filming of the movie 'Battle of Britain', which was released in 1969. The two Buchon's seen in this film were part of the aircraft fleet used in the movie.
The Buchon is a licence built version of the German Bf109G airframe, to which it is identical in most respects, save for its engine, which is a Rolls Royce Merlin and leads to the distinct difference in shape of the nose of the Buchon to the original Bf109.

This was filmed on Saturday 16 September, which was blessed with warm and dry weather.

The aircraft shown are:-
1/. Hispano HA1112-M1L Buchon (Bf109) 'Yellow 10' - G-AWHK, owned by Propshop Ltd/The Aircraft Restoration Company and flown by Steve Jones.
2/. Hispano HA1112-M4L Buchon (Bf109) 'Red 11' - G-AWHC, operated by Air Leasing Ltd/Aerial Collective and flown by Dave Puleston. This aircraft is the only original Spanish built two seat Buchon still flying.
3/. Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk.1, N3200/G-CFGJ, owned by The Imperial War Museum and flown by the Aircraft Restoration Company's chief pilot, Jon Gowdy.
4/. Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk.1, X4650/G-CGUK, owned by Comanche Warbirds Ltd and flown by Stu Goldspink.

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