IWM Duxford launching new acts for its big Summer Air Show

The Duxford Summer Air Show this year is a celebration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Taking place on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2, new acts have been added to the flying list, and children aged 15 and under get in for free.

The star of the weekend will be the D-Day Squadron for both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, June 1, 11 C-47 and DC-3 Dakotas will close the thrilling flying program with a mass parachute jump, with more than 100 parachutists taking part in a grand display to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Then on Sunday, June 2, the D-Day Squadron returns to Duxford’s historic airfield in a mass formation flypast at noon as they depart for Cherbourg. The commemorative weekend will conclude with the world-famous Red-Arrows and their iconic aerobatic display.

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In addition, visitors will be able to witness the impressive French Rafale Solo Display team on Saturday and Sunday as they demonstrate the breathtaking capabilities of the front-line fighter jet. Also making its appearance is the P-51D Mustang ‘Miss Helen’, one of the best-performing allied fighters of the Second World War, and the Piper L4 Grasshopper, flown on D-Day to support the US Navy.

This action-packed Duxford Summer Air Show wouldn’t be complete without fan favourite displays from the B-17G Flying Fortress ‘Sally B’, Republic P-47D Thunderbolt and the Supermarine Spitfire Mk I. On the ground, visitors can experience D-Day 80-themed activities and events, such as a special display by the Airborne Assault Museum to highlight the vital role of paratroopers and airborne intelligence.

The Military Village will help visitors learn more about the role of currently serving members of the military. Elsewhere, join in on the crowd as swing bands and living history groups bring the spirit and atmosphere of historic Duxford back to life with period music and dancing. For an enhanced festival experience, new vendors join this summer, providing even more dining options.

IWM Air Show Event Manager, Phil Hood, said: “Each year we aim to bring together a mix of crowd favourites and new, exhilarating additions to our Summer Air Show. For this commemorative year of D-Day 80, we really wanted to create a special programme for the audience. The addition of the French Rafale and the Grasshopper, along with Duxford classics like the Sally B, our Mk I Spitfire, and of course the spectacular display of Dakotas, will make this an unmissable commemorative event.”

After the commemorative Duxford Summer Air Show: D-Day 80, Duxford’s flying season continues with Flying Days: The Americans (Friday, July 26), Flying Evening (Saturday, August 17), Flying Days: 19 Squadron (Saturday, August 31), Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show (Sunday, September 14 and Saturday, September 15) and the grand Flying Finale (Saturday, October 5).

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