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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.

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.

I'm just sitting here mopping up saliva Doug, thanks

Mark

Ps. The wife says she knows when I see Spitfire pictures as it sounds like someone sitting on a bag of ferrets

Just superb. There is nothing like a Warbird airshow. Love the shots pal, wish I'd been there.

PS.

Carolyn Grace in ML407. I think this is the only airworthy Spitfire to be in action on D-Day.  

MKVb AB910 (BBMF) LF MK IXc MK732 (Dutch Spitfire flight) and LF MK IXe MK356 (BBMF) were all involved in Operation Overlord. Although MK356 did not fly any missions on D-Day  it did claim a half share in a 109 on D-Day +1. MK732 served with 485 Squadron with ML407 and shared with ML407 in the destruction of the second JU88 on June 6 1944.

Look at that idiot parked right on the approach.

I think it was smart of him to park there, I would have!

[quote]MKVb AB910 (BBMF) LF MK IXc MK732 (Dutch Spitfire flight) and LF MK IXe MK356 (BBMF) were all involved in Operation Overlord. Although MK356 did not fly any missions on D-Day

That's settles it.  I am moving to England...

the one with the 2 mustangs is awsome  :)