A-LIST film star Ewan McGregor was at Imperial War Museum Duxford last week as part of a whistle-stop visit to promote his new film. The star of upcoming war flick, Amelia, enjoyed a flight in a Fairchild Cornell PT19 and a P-51 Mustang and had the

A-LIST film star Ewan McGregor was at Imperial War Museum Duxford last week as part of a whistle-stop visit to promote his new film.

The star of upcoming war flick, Amelia, enjoyed a flight in a Fairchild Cornell PT19 and a P-51 Mustang and had the opportunity to chat to members of staff from The Fighter Collection, the brains behind the Flying Legends air show (Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12), which are based at Duxford.

Flying Legends air show is presenting, as part of its aerial display participation, Lockheed Electra Hazy Lily, the aviation star of Amelia.

Ewan McGregor said: "Filming Amelia stoked my interest in historic planes and early flight. Last week, I flew in some of the most incredible machines from the Second World War which was a rare privilege.

"I am sorry that I will miss seeing more of Flying Legends at Duxford next weekend - I certainly look forward to going back again and again."

Amelia is a stunning dramatisation of the life of aviator Amelia Earhart, due for release in autumn 2009.

The film, directed by Mira Nair, boasts a star-studded cast that includes Hilary Swank as Amelia Earhart, Richard Gere as Earhart's husband George Putnam, Ewan McGregor as her lover Gene Vidal and Christopher Eccleston as navigator Fred Noonan.

Hazy Lily 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 July 2, 1937, where both she and the aircraft disappeared over the Pacific Ocean.

Hazy Lily has an amazing history in its own right, having been owned by the man who was the inspiration for Ian Fleming's most famous character, James Bond. It is also rumoured that it was used in the 1942 film Casablanca.

Visitors to Flying Legends can see the historic Lockheed Electra Hazy Lily in action in the skies over Duxford, before seeing it on the silver screen.

Flying participation is subject to weather, serviceability and operational commitments.