Duxford Flying Legends - Press Release

Lockheed Electra Hazy Lily, star of the film Amelia, will be gracing Duxford with its presence at Flying Legends air show (Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July).

The aircraft is one of the few surviving Lockheed Electras in existence, and is identical to the aeroplane that Amelia Earhart flew on her ill-fated voyage of 2 July 1937, where both she and the aircraft disappeared over the Pacific Ocean.

Lockheed Electra Hazy Lily has an amazing history. It is 67 years old and served as transport for the US naval attaché in London during the Second World War. Between 1946 and 1952 it was owned by Sidney Cotton, a businessman and spy for Her Majesty’s Intelligence Service. He was also a friend of Ian Fleming and the inspiration for Fleming’s most famous character, James Bond. It is rumoured that this aircraft was also used in the filming of Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.

The aircraft is due to be seen on the silver screen in Amelia, starring Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor, Virginia Madsen and Christopher Eccleston, in autumn 2009.

The journey undertaken by the Lockheed Electra in order to reach South Africa for the filming of this epic story is the stuff of boy’s own adventures, particularly as the aircraft flew air miles equivalent to those undertaken by Amelia Earhart during her lifetime, in one round trip.

Now, visitors to Flying Legends can see this historic aircraft in action in the skies over Duxford before seeing it on the silver screen, bringing Amelia Earhart’s legendary story to life.

See the Lockheed Electra in action in the trailer for Amelia at http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810038855/video/14159334/standardformat/

Flying Legends, organised by The Fighter Collection in partnership with Imperial War Museum Duxford, is without doubt one of the finest warbird air shows in the world, providing 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.

Ticket prices for Flying Legends are: Adults £29.95, Senior (60 years or over) £24.95, Children £9.95 (children aged 4 years or under go free), Student/ Unemployed/ Disabled £9.95 (carer goes free). Buy your tickets early and save 10% - simply click the Book Online button on the website at www.iwm.org.uk/duxford or call 01223 499 353.

Imperial War Museum Duxford is south of Cambridge at junction 10 of the M11. Ample free parking is available. For a full list of Duxford’s air shows and other exciting events in 2009, including half term activities for families, visit www.iwm.org.uk/duxford or telephone 01223 835 000.