The Fighter Collection and Imperial War Museum Duxford are delighted to announce that The Flying Bulls will be making their debut UK air show appearance at Flying Legends 2011on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July 2011.

The Fighter Collection and Imperial War Museum Duxford are delighted to announce that The Flying Bulls will be making their debut UK air show appearance at Flying Legends 2011on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July 2011.

This much-anticipated display will be the only visit to the UK by The Flying Bulls in 2011.

The Flying Bulls’ Lockheed P-38 Lightning reg. N25Y and Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair reg. OE-EAS will perform a stunning display as part of an unrivalled programme of aerial excitement.

The Flying Bulls is a collective of aviation enthusiasts with a passion for rare historical aircraft and helicopters and a knowledge of conservation and restoration that is second to none.

The story of The Flying Bulls began in the 1980s. During this time, Sigi Angerer, a Tyrolean Airways pilot, flew modern jets, while his real passion was for historic aircraft.

In his search for an affordable warbird, he found a North American T-28B and took it back to Innsbruck, Austria, for restoration. He soon added a Grumman G44 Widgeon and the legendary Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair to his collection.

The Corsair brought together Angerer and Dietrich Mateschitz, founder of Red Bull, and not only gave Mateschitz the inspiration for the ‘Red Bull Gives You Wings’ slogan, but also led to the formation of The Flying Bulls, whose technical excellence and iconic style has become internationally inspirational.

The Flying Bulls’ Corsair was one of 12,500 models delivered to the US Navy. It did not see active service in the Second World War, but was transferred to Honduras in Latin America where it was in active service until 1965. It was then sold to a private owner, who in turn sold the aircraft to Sigi Angerer. The aircraft is a great attraction at The Flying Bulls’ Hangar-7 at Salzburg airport and a perennial highlight at international air shows.

Lockheed P-38 Lightning Reg. N25Y ceased active service from September 1945 and was registered as a civil aircraft by the Lilee Products Company in Chicago.

It was then handed over to J D Reed, an air racing enthusiast, based in Houston. With some engineering modification, design fine-tuning and bags of enthusiasm, Reed ensured that the aircraft, flown by Charlie ‘Firewall’ Walling, achieved 2nd place at the 1947 Miami Air Races and 2nd place at the Sohio-Race in Cleveland in the same year.

His main competitor said with astonishment that he had “never seen a P-38 fly so fast”.

The Lightning’s racing days lapsed during the 1950s until it fell into the hands of Marvin ‘Lefty’ Gardner in 1963. Lefty Gardner was an aerial daredevil whose flights carrying supplies for the Norwegian Resistance movement are legendary in aviation history.

Lefty was passionate about flying as a sport. He attended the Reno National Championship Air Races for decades and often won two out of three races. His greatest strength was precision aerobatics, and for many spectators, seeing the P-38 Lightning complete a perfect circle was the highlight of the Races.

In 2001, the Lightning was struck down by an engine in flames. The aircraft turned black and sustained substantial damage. Eight years later, the P-38 was restored to its former glory, thanks to the skill and commitment of The Flying Bulls crew.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see The Flying Bulls in action - magnificent aircraft flown by exceptionally talented pilots.

See The Flying Bulls in action at http://fighter-collection.com/press030311.html

All flying is subject to weather, serviceability and operational commitments.

Flying Legends 2011

Buy tickets for Flying Legends in advance and take advantage of the advance booking discount.

Without doubt one of the finest warbird air shows in the world, Flying Legends provides an unrivalled line-up of the classic propeller-driven combat aircraft from both the First and Second World Wars, many of which are now either rare or unique.

Legendary aircraft and superbly talented pilots come from across the globe to display at Flying Legends. As in previous years, Flying Legends 2011 will provide a spectacular performance, enabling visitors to see iconic aircraft in stunning aerial displays.

On the ground, there will be activities for all ages, including funfair rides, bungee trampolines, tank rides and demonstrations.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.iwm.org.uk/duxford or by calling the box office on 01223 499 353.