Duxford in Cambridgeshire is a very popular venue for warbird enthusiasts. There is an extensive museum which is free to look around during a Duxford Airshow and includes many WWII examples.
Duxford is home to the Imperial War Museum Collection (IWM), The Fighter Collection (TFC), The Old Flying Machine Company (OFMC), The Aircraft Restoration Company (ARC), Historic Aircraft Collection (HAC), B-17 Preservation Society etc. The airfield itself is an historic site dating back to 1918. In the second world war it was home to the first operational Spitfire squadron. Duxford's fighters were frequently scrambled against the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.
Duxford has several Airshows during the season with the popular Flying Legends Air Show usually being held in July.
If you like warbirds then Duxford is the airshow to visit. Click here to visit the official website of Imperial War Museum at Duxford.
Commencing IWM Duxford’s programme of events commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the Spring Air Show showcases the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and opens the Flight’s season for 2010.
On Saturday 15 May, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft will form the centre-piece of a ground display that also comprises contemporary RAF aircraft. Personnel from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and contemporary RAF squadrons will interact with visitors, alongside Battle of Britain veterans, to show how the camaraderie and bravery of the Battle of Britain pilots continues to inspire the RAF’s contemporary mission. This is an exciting opportunity for visitors to interact with pilots and their aircraft before seeing them in action on the following day. It also enables visitors to put the actions of the Battle of Britain into modern context and to understand how those events still resonate today.
Sunday 16 May sees the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in flying action, sharing the skies with historic Second World War aircraft and contemporary RAF aircraft. Visitors will be able to see the RAF’s glorious past in flight alongside its sophisticated contemporary aircraft - past and present in perfect harmony.
Visitors will be able to attend either the Saturday or the Sunday separately, or are able to purchase a two-day ticket to enjoy the full atmosphere of this very special event.
Provisional Participating Aircraft:
16 May 2010 - Spring Air Show
Spring Air Show
Sunday 16 May 2010
Display times 2.00pm – 5.30pm
The Spring Air Show will demonstrate the breadth and range of aircraft flown by the
Royal Air Force. It showcases the aircraft of the Royal Air Force from its inception to
the present day.
Participation is subject to weather, serviceability and operational commitments.
Order of appearance listed may be subject to change.
2.00pm
Eurofighter Typhoon 29 (R) Squadron RAF Coningsby
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 'Sally B' B-17 Preservation
C172 and Extra 220 Cambridge Aero Club (Marshalls) 2.30pm
Douglas Dakota Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Grob Tutor 115 (R) Squadron, RAF Cranwell
Percival Piston Provost and Hunting Jet Provost V Cooke Aviation 3.00pm
Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a and Bristol Fighter The Shuttleworth Collection
Hawker Hurricane x 4 Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Avro Lancaster Battle of Britain Memorial Flight 3.30pm
Hawker Hunter Heritage Aviation Developments
Hawker Nimrod and Fairey Swordfish Historic Aircraft Collection/ RNHF
Westland Sea King 22 Sqn 'B' Flight SAR RAF Wattisham 4.00pm
Percival Pembroke Percival Aircraft
Eurofighter Typhoon and Supermarine Spitfire IX 29 (R) Squadron/Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Shorts Tucano 72 (R) Squadron, RAF Linton on Ouse 4.30pm
de Havilland Rapide and Chipmunk x 2 D & M Miller/ Aircraft Restoration Company
BAE Hawk 208 (R) Squadron RAF Valley
North American TF51 Mustang and Harvard The Fighter Collection 5.00pm
Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire II P Vacher and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Westland Lynx Pair 'Black Cats' 702 Naval Air Squadron, RNAS
North American F-86 Sabre Golden Apple Operations
Additional static aircraft on the flightline walk
Scottish Aviation Bulldog M Miles
Gloster Gladiator The Fighter Collection
de Havilland Tiger Moth P Szluha
Supermarine Spitfire V Historic Aircraft Collection
BAE Hawk 208 (R) Squadron, RAF Valley
Shorts Tucano 72 (R) Squadron, RAF Linton-on-Ouse
Featuring the very best of the RAF, past and present
Following on from the special event on Saturday 15 May, where visitors can mingle with members of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Royal Air Force on the ground, today we take to the skies for some breath-taking aerial action.
See the RAF’s glorious past in flight alongside its sophisticated contemporary aircraft at the Spring Air Show. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight forms the centre-piece of a thrilling air show, where it shares the skies with historic Second World War aircraft and modern RAF assets.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be displaying its Lancaster, Dakota, Spitfires (x3) and Hurricanes (x2). Contemporary RAF aircraft presenting thrilling displays include the Eurofighter Typhoon and Embraer Super Tucano, whilst the SH-3S Sea King will perform a search and rescue demonstration.
The celebration of the Royal Air Force’s past and present continues on the ground with a range of interactive displays. There will be the opportunity to meet contemporary RAF personnel alongside the ghostly figures of Battle of Britain re-enactors bringing Duxford’s wartime atmosphere vividly to life.
Experience past and present in perfect harmony at this spectacular launch to IWM Duxford’s 2010 flying season.
On the ground, there will be activities for all ages, including funfair rides, bungee trampolines, tank rides and demonstrations.
10-11 July 2010 - Flying Legends Air Show
Flying Legends - two words which instantly evoke the very best of classic aircraft displaying at Duxford in one of the world's most celebrated air shows.
The Fighter Collection and the Imperial War Museum Duxford are proud to present the 2010 event; another unmissable fusion of power, sounds and nostalgia.
04-05 September 2010 - Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show
IWM Duxford presents an evocative commemoration of the aerial battle that proved the strategic turning point in the Second World War.
The Battle of Britain Air Show remembers the pilots and aircraft synonymous with this renowned aerial conflict, including pilots who came from across the globe to fight for world freedom.
Expect to see squadrons of Battle of Britain aircraft at Europe’s best preserved Second World War airfield.
Provisional Participating Aircraft:
04-05 September 2010 - Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show
Red Arrows (Sat & Sun) (F)
RAF Typhoon (F)
RAF Hawk T1 (F)
RAF Tucano T1 (F)
BBMF (Lancaster, Spitfire, Hurricane) (F)
F-86A Sabre (F)
Spitfire (Grace Spitfire) (F)
Patrouille de France (Saturday only) (F)
B-17 (Sally B) (F)
Closing the UK’s air show season, Duxford’s Autumn Air Show features superb modern and historic aircraft in an array of aerobatics and stunning displays.
The relaxed atmosphere is equally appreciated by pilots and crowds and makes for a perfect Sunday outing.
The Autumn Air Show celebrates the 65th birthday of the glorious B-17 Flying Fortress GBEDF
Sally B. The last remaining airworthy B-17 in the UK, Sally B delights air show crowds
with her majestic display and is a favourite with IWM Duxford visitors.