BluBear

Sounds like you'll fit right in here mate.

Thankfully that picture has been cropped, you wouldn't want to see what else was happening...

I'll drink to that Toad! In a related matter, i've just found some video of the 'other' Skyraider incident. During their slot on the Sunday, the other French Skyraider (with a vast array of bombs etc under-slung) broke from the formation to do solo passes leaving the remaining pair to do aerobatics, as per Saturday's display. However, upon running in from the East he managed to get shockingly close to two Spitfire's that were on finals to land and had to take evasive action. He continued to circle over the village for the remainder of the display, and didn't take part in the Balbo at the end. Not a good weekend to be French and in a Skyraider, or perhaps not a good weekend for anyone else to be near French Skyraiders! Watch from about 1:50:

Thanks Swep, some fine pictures there of one of the finest Mustangs ever. I am still sad at it's demise, but at least we have the memories!

Yes, nice work JP! Thank you very much

I would hazard a guess that all the fouled metal at the impact area was causing the control cables to snag and bind or something like that. He explains in the Meridian video that he considered belly landing in a field but quickly realised the pitch control was too far gone and prepared to depart. I think a pilot with lesser experience may not have faired so well. Fairly clear pictures of the collision damage to the P-51

Unfortunately not. Well I saw unfortunately... but to me the Red Lion isn't all that appealing now. With that bloody great monstrosity of a hotel in the back garden and now they are extending the pub itself, it's lost it's charm IMHO. We did however find a good curry house and order some tasty fish and chips to eat in the beer garden of a student pub! Commute to the show was simples, straight in both days after about 20-30 mins drive.

From the horses mouth! The video in the first link may only be available to UK viewers. This video from Meridian news Rob Davies said: "As I broke to land, the no2 a/c broke too early and turned in tight so he couldn't see me any more. He hit me with his wing damaging my a/c and his own." He added: "My a/c was crippled in pitch...it had no pitch control" Also from the BBC:

Here's my take on things chaps... Fenrir and I grew up with this aircraft practically on our doorstep, and it really was gut-wrenching seeing it all unfold in front of our very eyes. Can I just add at this point that the pilot and former owner of this Mustang is a chap called Rob Davies, who is considered one of the most experienced '51 drivers in the world. He had nearly 15 years of safe flying in that very aircraft, frequently flying to and from work in it (he worked in the aerospace industry) and a regular at airshows across Europe. Now, with that in mind I'm guessing Rob would've needed a pretty big reason to part company with his steed and join the caterpillar club... It is clear in the videos that the Skyraider's wing impacts the rear underside of the Mustang fuselage, just behind the radiator doghouse and if you look at the attatched cutaway drawing you will notice this is exactly where the control cables run for the tail surfaces. My bet is that after impact he very soon realises, when his stick isn't doing what it's supposed to, that the aircraft is irrecoverable and performs the following actions to initiate 'Operation self-preservation!' Firstly, by popping the canopy irregardless, then if you look at some of the close ups it appears there is maybe 15degrees of flap applied, this could be to try and maintain/gain (if possible) some altitute whilst steering a course away from the airfield. Then, without a minute to spare, he climbs out and hits the silk, to our absolute relief. It was a sickening thing to watch, but glad that the outcome was positive with no loss of life. The AAIB will of course release the findings in their investigation in due course, but from what I saw, and have since seen, to me it looks as the though unfortunately the number 2 in the flight has lost sight of his leader and the unthinkable has happened. It is also worth mentioning that Mr Davies is noted to be an authority in correct bail out procedures from a warbird, in particular the P-51. Big B, i'm gonna miss you!

Great pics and vids chaps! And what a bloody marvellous weekend it was!!! Really great to finally put faces to voices/names, feels like i've known you all for years. You're all mad, it's brilliant! The airshow in fact seemed like a bonus, here's to the DangerDogz!

Maturity?!! Oh, Don't forget a !!!!

Currently in a pub called the Empress, first things first- 12 pints of Spitfire please mr barman! Next... Time for pizza. ) Cracking day at DX, too much to mention in one post, expect thousands of pictures from Swep, Jabo, Crash... And everyone else!

So far we've had a trio of 109s (buchons), a gaggle of spitfires, a trio of skyraiders, the horsemen and other assorted mustangs, bearcat, corsair, b17, Lancaster... Plenty more to come! Oh, and a Dr1 at the moment for all the RofF fans We all wish the rest of the Dogz were here!

After a curry and alcohol fuelled night, the Dogz awaken to the sound of Merlins and Pratt and Whitneys and the sweet smell of burning oil. Hold on... We're not at Duxford yet... The sounds... They're in my head... In anticipation! The smells? Hmmm.... Well, Time for breakfast, to kickstart the day!!