Tens of thousands flock to Duxford for Battle of Britain air show

The weekend marks the Battle of Britain which took place between 10 July - 31st October 1940, a military campaign of the Second World War.

It was a time when the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy defended the United Kingdom against large-scale attacks by Nazi Germany’s air force, the Luftwaffe. It was the first military campaign fought entirely by air forces.

The former RAF site played a pivotal role in some of the most dramatic days in 20th century history, it served as a base many of the Spitfire and Hurricane pilots during the Second World War.

The stories of many of those who served at RAF Duxford to old-school aviation and entertainment are some of what spectators will see displayed across the weekend.

In addition visitors also have access to a number of hangers, exhibitions, statistic collections and Battle of Britain exhibitions to explore the historic moments from 1940.

From vintage aviation and the stories of those who served at RAF Duxford, to living history groups and entertainment from the era are on also on show.

A spectator who travelled from Belgium told us: “We’ve come to see planes from World War Two. To see the Spitfires, the B17 and the Lancaster.

“I’m doing research on plane crashes in Belgium during World War Two. So, I’m very interested in these machines.”

Another who came here as part of a group of Air Cadets from Hertfordshire said: “I’ve never been to an air show like this before, so it’s a little bit breathtaking to say the least.

“It’s just the atmosphere which I think is my favourite part about it. it’s just that everyone has got that one thing in common. It’s just like a sense of unity you get from - kind of like being with people that are like you and the diversity of people who have come from New York.

Tim Strofton, Assistant Director at IMW Duxford says it’s great to have people back at events like this especially after the COVID 19 Pandemic.

He added: “We as a team have been really looking forward the public being able to enjoy and embrace all of the things that go into making an air show of of this kind.

“We’re the premier aviation museum in Europe and this is what Duxford does best. This is the commemorative weekend of Battle of Britain and it’s also the 50th anniversary IMW doing air shows.

“People come from all over the world because they’re not going to see any of this anywhere else. The opportunity to see 18 spitfires, hurricanes flying in formation doesn’t happen in any other places.

For spectators who are travelling from far and wide, it’s certainly going to be a weekend they won’t forget as around 18,000 attended on Saturday.