Big Beautiful Doll

[flyingtech55]

Greatly saddened by the loss of P51D "Big Beautiful Doll" at Duxford on Sunday. Seen it in the flesh and it was a really lovely example. Happily the pilot got out with just enough height left for his parachute to deploy. He was a bit knocked about I think but was able to walk to the ambulance.

TimR

[Aerodyne]

Agreed. It was unfortunate to say the least.
Like Trevor, I opened this thread with a frisson of expectancy that wasn't to be fulfilled. Ho hum!
-Tony

[flyingtech55]

Sorry lads for raising false hopes. I realise in retrospect that the title could have been a little less ambiguous. I'm afraid that at my age I never think in terms of 'frisons'.

BBD was a lovely aeroplane with a long history. Happily it didn't burn after the crash so although vary badly damaged it may be possible to construct it. The Skyraider with which it had a mid-air collision got down OK but with a fair bit of damage to its starboard wing. I'm sure it will be repaired and fly again.

TimR

[Brianc]

I'm amazed that there has been no mention of this in the Media. I think that just shows what the media think people have no interest in! I read the OP earlier this morning and wanting to know more, I turned to Google. There was a video recording of the accident showing a couple of bits of "skin" tearing away, the bale-out and the aircraft diving behind some trees. I went to look again because I hadn't noticed a collision but it had been removed.

It really is important to keep these bits of history in operational condition but it does mean that they are at risk, especially aircraft.

[DODGERN]

Unfortunately Duxford in recent years has not had a good record for air accidents. Let's hope it is the last!

Roger.

[OldTickTock]

I'm amazed that there has been no mention of this in the Media.

There was yesterday on the BBC I watched the video of it, it was just a small link though.

[Aerodyne]

I too saw it on TV - but it wasn't very informative about the aircraft involved, just showed the mid-air collision first in real time then slowed down. Perhaps that's what the general public want, unlike me (us?) who like to be better informed.
I missed some of it but there was a programme on TV last night about a Spitfire being transported to Australia. The bit I managed to catch looked interesting.
-Tony