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The main summer airshow – ‘Flying Legends’ – is jointly organised by the Fighter Collection and the IWM, and provides funds towards such restorations. The two-day show attracts probably the greatest variety of rare piston-engined warbirds you are likely to see in one place – in Europe at least. If you are fortunate, you’ll likely to see two B17s flying in formation, often with little friend P51’s as escorts. Other regular visitors include B-25 Mitchells, Catalinas, DC3s/C47s (as to your liking) and a plethora of Spitfires, Hurricanes and Mustangs. The show always concludes with a mass flypast know as the ‘Balbo’ which has to be to be believed, and which often disintegrates into a series of low level tail chases – where you get to feel as well as see the aircraft as close quarters!

 
Warbird line-up at Flying Legends 2006

 
Spifires galore!

The Museum holds other regular Airshows in May, September and October, and often commemorates specific anniversaries. The September show tends to be warbird focused, and in 2006 was dedicated to the Spitfire. The line up included a total of 11 Spitfires on the flightline, including four T9 two-seat versions. Three of the spitfires were recent restorations, which gives an impression of amount of preservation work being undertaken at Duxford.

A spitfire scramble involving a privately owned Spitfire T9 ML407 
and Historic Flying Limited’s Sptifire Vb BM597

The May and October events are designed to appeal to a wider audience and include more modern aircraft in addition to warbirds – usually with a contingent representing the modern day RAF, providing contrast to the older machines. This year the May show commemorates the 25th Anniversary of the Falklands War.

 
Aerobatic display from the Aerostars with their Yak 50s

 
RAF Chinook roll-by

 
Belgian F-16 slow flypast with wingtip smoke

 
Mustang Scamble from Duxfords grass strip            

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