Bruce Dickinson, lead singer of Iron Maiden and pilot for The Great War Display Team, flew into IWM Duxford today (Tuesday 9 September) in his replica Fokker Dr1 aircraft.
He was accompanied by Gordon Brander, team leader of The Great War Display Team, who flew a replica Sopwith Triplane.
As we commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, The Great War Display Team takes to the skies at The Duxford Air Show this weekend (Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September) with replica First World War Fokker Dr1 triplanes, a Sopwith triplane, Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a aircraft, Junkers CLI aircraft and Royal Aircraft Factory BE2 aircraft.
Bruce said: “First World War aircraft are what I would term “unfailingly interesting” in their flying characteristics. The triplanes in particular are independent-minded on the ground. In the air it is a pure dogfighter. Best described by its best-known exponent Baron Manfred von Richtofen: “It climbs like a monkey and turns like the devil.”
“My Godfather, Flight Sergeant John Booker, was one of Trenchard’s apprentices and is buried at RAF Cranwell. He is responsible for my love of aviation. I sat on his knee with his engineering models and listened to stories about the siege of Malta, in which he took part. I have his medals and service bible.
My Uncle was also a Flight Engineer on Hercules and Tri-Star’s in the RAF before joining Caledonian and British Airways, finally retiring with Dragonair.”
“This will be my first Duxford as a display pilot, so it’s a big thrill and I hope we stir the passions in the audience. It’s quite a sight, nine First World War fighters mixing it up, close and personal…”
Advance ticket sales are now closed for The Duxford Air Show. Visitors to The Duxford Air Show on Saturday 13 September will be able to purchase tickets on the gate in the usual way.
There has been widespread interest in the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s Avro Lancaster at The Duxford Air Show on Sunday 14 September. This means there is only a small number of tickets still available for sale on Sunday and we do expect to sell out.
For further information go to http://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-duxford/the-duxford-air-show-0
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