incorporating UKAirshows
and EnglishAirshows

Biggin Hill 2004 - Battle of Britain weekend

The weather made an impact on several airshows in 2004, and Biggin Hill did not escape. After a promising start on Saturday, the clouds closed in and rain followed, reducing visibility and curtailing what had promised to be a novel afternoon programme. Sunday also started bright and became gloomier but at least the programme was not hit.

Every airshow has its highlights, but at Biggin Hill it was hard to choose just one. The rarity highlight had to be the appearance of the Dornier Do24.

After a rebuild in the Philippines it had stopped off on its round-the-world tour before returning via America to the Philippines, where it will start earning its keep. Biggin was one of only a couple of chances to see the Dornier in the UK. The impressive silver flying machine adorned the static area for the whole weekend and although the weather prevented Saturday's flight, on Sunday it thrilled the crowds on its own and paired with Plane Sailing's Catalina.

Continuing the naval theme, the RN Historic Flight's Sea Fury and Sea Hawk also made memorable maiden displays away from home base and Red Bull's Sea Vixen showed off its slightly darker livery.

Always sure to thrill, the F16 was represented by this Dutch example and another from the Belgian Air Force.

A non-maritime highlight was the Army Air Corps Historic Aircraft flight who combined with the Blue Eagles to impress the crowds with eight rotary and three fixed wing aircraft in procession, followed by displays in groups. The only AAC rotary missing from the procession was the Skeeter, which could, however, been seen in the static display until it left on Sunday morning.

The AAC Historic Flight with the Blue Eagles also clearly impressed the judges, who gave them the award for top team performance.

The Red Arrows gave their last public display of their 40th year and exchanged presentations with show organiser Jock Maitland.

As well as the Red Arrows on Sunday, other formation displays were provided by the Breitling Jet Team on Saturday, despite the closing weather, and the Black Cats danced their Lynx helicopters on Sunday.

 

Amongst the classic and less frequently seen models was this replica SE5 and an original Fieseler Storch - the type that rescued Mussolini from his mountain retreat and that was the personal transport of Field Marshall Rommel.

The Utterlys are less rare! Seemingly at every show in their foursomes or more common pairs, they flew both days, the second of which was Marie's final show before retiring.