Yesterday I went to an air display at Chailey, a small village in East Sussex. The venue was one of the Advanced Landing Grounds dotted all over my home county. These were built in 1944 to support the D-Day invasion. Most have long since reverted to farmland but a few like Chailey are now operated as privately owned airstrips. The theme of the display was to commemorate the Polish Spitfire squadrons based here in 1944.
Here's a few random photos to give some idea of the atmosphere. The weather was perfect & the display was excellent. Wish the same could be said for my shots.
A beautiful Spitfire Mk V arriving over the fence. At a similar display in 2000 this was the first Spitfire to land at Chailey for over 55 years. Look at that idiot parked right on the approach.
Carolyn Grace in ML407. I think this is the only airworthy Spitfire to be in action on D-Day.
Quote:Flying Officer Johhnie Houlton DFC .... was accredited, whilst flying ML407, with the first enemy aircraft shot down over the Normandy Beach head on D-Day.
PR Spitfire & Hurricane nightfighter.
The famous pink Spitfire XI now back in its PR blue.
Another nice Hurricane.
More lovely Merlins.
A pair of Mustangs.
The Master & his favourite mount. Ray Hanna with MH434 after his usual immaculate display. You can't really follow that so he ended the show.
Once more the air over Sussex reverberated to the sweet music of Merlins, this time no longer in anger. A great time was had by all. Perfick.
PS. I got a little over-enthusiastic by expecting too much of my poor little camera. I have some better static shots of some of the other aircraft if anyone is interested.
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