incorporating UKAirshows
and EnglishAirshows

Scramble

Re-enactments of war time scenarios are an increasingly popular feature of airshows.

Shows based at airfields, especially airfields that have a WW2 connection, frequently feature an enemy airfield attack and scramble.

This re-enactment (pictures from Biggin Hill) shows a 'typical' wartime airfield in the days immediately prior to the Battle of Britain, complete with RAF Bell tents and YMCA tea wagon.

The quiet of an afternoon in the dispersal area is broken by a phone call and the ringing of the alarm bell, whereupon everyone dashes to duty stations and the pilots to their Spitfires.

The sleeping Spitfires and Hurricanes burst into life and, one by one, growl their way to the runway where they lift off in small groups.

The number of planes scrambled varies between shows. At Biggin Hill in 2004, eight Spitfires and two Hurricanes took to the air. Sometimes there are Messerschmitts and ground explosions to make the attack more realistic. Other times the scramble becomes a formation flight rather than a true pursuit, but no less impressive for that.

In 2005 at Biggin Hill, pilots taking off in two groups included Ray Hanna in the MkIX MH434, Caroline Grace in the MkIX Grace Spitfire ML407, John Romain in the Irish Air Corps 161 MkIX twin seat trainer, Charlie Brown in BM597, a MkV and the Royal Netherlands Air Force Historic Flight's MkIX, 3W-17.

Following a mock dog-fight or just a display of the versatility of these craft, most of them return to the airfield's static display.