Retro Tucano launch at Linton on Ouse

Old met new at RAF Linton on Ouse recently with the launch of the Tucano Display Teams new colours for 2010. The Tucano display aircraft have been painted in the colour scheme used by Spitfires in the Battle of Britain, and are dedicated to the memory of all the “Few”, regardless of their aircraft or Squadron. The 2010 display pilot – Flt Lt Tom Bould – is from 72 Sqn and the two aircraft he will display are painted to represent the Spitfires of two men who were very successful Battle of Britain pilots and who both subsequently commanded 72 Sqn later in the war. The aircraft are coded “LZ-R” to represent a Spitfire of 66 Sqn flown by Robert “Bobby” Oxspring DFC** AFC and “QJ-F” represents an aircraft flown by Charles Kingcombe DSO DFC* of 92 Sqn.

The aircraft were joined at the launch event at Linton on Ouse by a Spitfire and Hurricane of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, displaying together for the assembled crowd of dignatories, veterans, families, service personnel and invited guests. The new colour scheme for the Tucanos delighted the WW2 veterans present, and several ex-Spitfire pilots leapt into the cockpit of the BBMF Spitfire with an ease that defied their years. Among them were Sgt pilot Laurie Frampton, (72 Sqn 1942-43), Flt Lt Rodney Scrase DFC (72 Sqn 1943-44) and Sgt Jack Lancaster who maintained Spitfires in 72 Sqn for the whole of WW2

Source: RAF