Some of the best airshows on the circuit are the smaller, more intimate shows. One of them is held at Old Buckenham Airfield in Norfolk for local charities including the East Anglia Air Ambulance.
The setting for the Old Buckenham Airshow is a small second world war airstrip. Construction of the airfield started in 1942 and was completed in 1943 in time for the arrival of the 453rd Bomb Group of the United States Army Air Force who stayed until the end of the European War in May 1945. They were equipped with the B-24 Liberator and during the course of the war lost 58 aircraft and 366 air crew. A memorial to the 453rd BG is situated in front of the club house. Today, “Old Buck” is home to the Old Buckenham Aero Club and is thriving centre for parachuting and general aviation.
The Old Buckenham airshow is usually held annually though in 2007 returned after a years break. The show raises money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance and has proved a very popular local show. This year’s show had to cope with some pretty dire weather condition around the country affecting some of the participants but in the end nearly everything due to fly did.
All photography by Paul Johnson/Flightline UK.
