BBMF Lancaster in 2021
Four 'Flying Days' have been announced for 2023.
Access to the IWM Duxford on Flying Days is free for members but still has to be booked.
Some details are in the tables. More will be added when announced.
| Duxford Flying Days May - August 2023 | |
|---|---|
| VE Day | May 7th |
| Commemorating D-Day | June 4th |
| The Americans | July 28th |
| 19 Squadron | August 12th |
| See the British Airshows calendar for a full list of all known British airshows in 2023 or Duxford Airshows page for details of Duxford airshows | |
| Display aircraft Please check the show's site for the latest list | |
|---|---|
| Display aircraft Please check the show's site for the latest list | |
|---|---|
| Display aircraft expected Please check the show's site for the latest list | |
|---|---|
| Display aircraft expected Please check the show's site for the latest list | |
|---|---|
BBMF Lancaster in 2021
Two of the 2021 Flying Days: 'After Hours' and 'Best Of ...' have become 'Special Flying Events' in 2022. But there are still four traditional Flying Days and two model aircraft flying days in 2022.
Access to the IWM Duxford on Flying Days is £30 per adult: free for members. The two 'Special Events' (Flying Evening and Flying Finale) are not free for members.
Some details are in the tables. More will be added when announced.
| Duxford Flying Days April - October 2022 | |
|---|---|
| General Aviation | No longer listed as a flying day |
| VE Day | May 7th |
| Model Aircraft | May 8th |
| Commemorating D-Day | June 5th |
| The Americans | July 23rd |
| Young Aviators | August 1st |
| Model Aircraft - Centenary | October 9th |
| See the British Airshows calendar for a full list of all known British airshows in 2022 or Duxford Airshows page for details of Duxford airshows | |
| Display aircraft Please check the show's site for the latest list | |
|---|---|
| Supermarine Spitfire LFVb EP120 G-LFVB: The Fighter Collection | |
| Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk.Vb BM597 G-MKVB (HAC) | |
| Hawker Hurricane Mk Xlla (HAC) | |
| Goodyear FG-1D Corsair G-FGID | |
| North American TF-51D Mustang 'Contrary Mary' (formerly 'Miss Velma') G-TFSI (Air Leasing) | |
 | Hispano HA-1112-M4L Buchon "White 9" G-AWHH (Air Leasing) |
| Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina (Plane Sailing) | |
| Yakovlev Yak-18T, Yakovlev Yak-52 (pair) | |
| LeVier Cosmic Wind | |
| Bücker Bü131 Jungmann | |
| Hawker Nimrod I (Fighter Collection) | |
| Display aircraft scheduledFlying cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions. Show's schedule | |
|---|---|
| Grumman FM-2 Wildcat G-RUMW | |
| North American TF-51D Mustang 'Contrary Mary' (formerly 'Miss Velma') G-TFSI (Air Leasing) | |
 | Republic P47D Thunderbolt 'Nellie B' |
| de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide | |
| Supermarine Spitfire FR XlV G-SPIT MV268 (Air Leasing) | |
| Hispano HA-1112 Buchon G-AWHK 'Yellow 10' (ARC) | |
| Hispano HA-1112-M4L Buchon (Air Leasing) |
| Hawker Fury FB.II G-CBEL (Air Leasing) | |
| Goodyear FG-1D Corsair G-FGID | |
| Beechcraft UC-43 Staggerwing | |
| Display aircraft expectedPlease check the show's site for the latest list | |
|---|---|
| North American TF-51D Mustang 'Contrary Mary' (formerly 'Miss Velma') G-TFSI (Anglia Aircraft Restorations / Ultimate Fighters) | |
| P-51D Mustang 'Miss Helen' | |
| Curtiss P-40F Warhawk 'Lees's Hope' G-CGZP | |
| Republic P47D Thunderbolt 'Nellie B' |
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk X1 G-PRXI 'PL983' (ARCo) | |
| Boeing B-17G 'Sally B' | |
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVIe (Low Back) G-OXVI TD248 | |
| Piper L4 'Grasshopper' (x3) | |
| Display aircraft expectedPlease check the show's site for the latest list | |
|---|---|
| Turbulent Team | |
| LeVier Cosmic Wind G-ARUL | |
| Bücker Bü131 Jungmann | |
BBMF Lancaster on October 9th
In addition to major airshows, The Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford has 'Flying Days', previously called 'Showcase Days'.
In a way, every day is a flying day at IWM Duxford, because Duxford-based aircraft regularly come and go; Duxford-based companies practice and both operate and test their fleets and, except when conditions are too poor, Classic Wings operate vintage flight experiences. But scheduled Flying Days add displays to that regular activity.
In 2021 each of these Flying Days was themed: the themes of the 2021 Flying Days are in the tables.
As well as a variety of themes, there was also variety in the appeal of the various Flying Days through the season. Some added only a few flights to the normal activity whereas others added either novelty or a substantial flying programme to the day. Possibly the two most significant Flying Days were 'After Hours' on August 28th and 'The Best of 2021' on October 9th.
'After Hours' was a superb example of late afternoon flying, with a wide variety of types flying as the sun sank, providing a true spectacle in excellent light.
'The Best Of 2021' was closer to a full airshow than a Flying Day, and welcomed the return to displays of the BBMF Lancaster and the Hawker Nimrod amongst other delights.
Click the blue text for photos taken at the 'After Hours' and 'Best of 2021' shows.
Although subject to any Covid-19 or other restrictions applicable at the time, there was usually also a chance to visit the museums and to enjoy pop up displays and experiences before some afternoon flying.
In 2021, entry to daytime Flying Days was free for IWM members (but not the evening one) and members still had to book. Parking was free for everyone.
Flying Days are certainly a welcome addition to the airshow schedule: hopefully one that will be repeated in 2022 and beyond.
| Duxford Flying Days April - July 2021 | |
|---|---|
| April 24th Cancelled | |
| May 8th Cancelled | |
| Standing Together | May 22nd |
| Commemorating D-Day | June 6th |
| Model Aircraft | June 19th |
| Thank you Dads | June 20th |
| Behind the Scenes | July 3rd |
| Duxford Flying Days Aug - Oct 2021 | |
|---|---|
| Squadron 19 Heroes | August 4th |
| Showtime | August 11th |
| Young Aviators | August 19th |
| After Hours | August 28th |
| The Fighters | September 4th |
| Best of 2021 | October 9th |
| See the British Airshows calendar for a full list of all known British airshows in 2022 or Duxford Airshows page for details of Duxford airshows | |
| Aircraft due to display | |
|---|---|
| Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF) | |
| Republic P47 Thunderbolt 'Nellie' (Ultimate Fighters) |
| North American P-51D Mustang 'Contrary Mary' (formerly 'Miss Velma') G-TFSI (Anglia Aircraft Restorations / Ultimate Fighters) | |
| BBMF Lancaster and two Spitfires | |
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ia G-CFGJ 'N3200' (IWM) | |
| Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk.Vb BM597 G-MKVB (HAC) | |
| RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team | |
 | Hawker Hurricane Mk.I |
| Bücker Bü131 Jungmann | |
 | North American Harvard Mk.IV 'Wacky Wabbit' |
| de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide | |
| Slepcev (reduced-size, kit-built Fieseler Fi 156) Storch & Piper L4 Grasshopper | |
| LeVier Cosmic Wind G-ARUL | |
| Pitts Special | |
| Yakovlev Yak-3 | |
| Yakovlev Yak-52 G-YAKH | |
| Slingsby T67M MKII Firefly G-BNSR | |
| de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk | |
| Hawker Nimrod | |
| Display Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Goodyear Corsair G-FGID | |
| Curtiss-Wright P-40F 'Lee's Hope' G-CGZP | |
| More display aircraft may be announced closer to the day of the show. Please check the show's web site for information about the show and displays. | |
| Display Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Boeing B-17G 'Sally B' | |
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX G-PBIX RW382 'Porky II': Suffolk Spitfire Ltd., (pilot Clive Denny) | |
| Curtiss-Wright P-40F 'Lee's Hope' G-CGZP (pilot Stu Goldspink) | |
| Supermarine Spitfire Vb BM597 G-MKVB: HAC | |
| Hispano HA-1112-M4L Buchon "White 9" G-AWHH: Air Leasing (pilot Steve Jones) |
| Hawker Hurricane P3717 | |
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ia G-CFGJ 'N3200': IWM | |
 | Fokker Dr.1 (Replica) G-FOKK Red Barron colours (pilot Paul Ford) |
| de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver G-DHCZ: Aircraft Restoration Company (pilot Stu Goldspink) | |
| de Havilland DH83 Fox Moth (pilot Mark Miller) | |
| Red Sparrows | |
| Hawker Hurricane Mk I V7497 | |
| Brendan O'Brien & Schwezer S300c 'Otto' the helicopter | |
| de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide. Listed but did not fly | |
| Display Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Goodyear Corsair G-FGID | |
| Mew Gull (Replica) | |
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ia G-CFGJ 'N3200' (IWM) | |
| Turbulent Team. | |
| Mudry Cap 232 (flying with Extra 300) | |
| Extra 300 (flying with Mudry Cap) | |
| Before the show, a USAF Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker made 2 passes, the second with the refuelling boom lowered | |
| Westland Lysander IIIA V9312 G-CCOM withdrawn | |
| Aircraft listed before the show | |
|---|---|
| North American Harvard | |
| Yakovlev Yak-50 | |
| Mudry CAP 10 | |
| Display Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ia G-CFGJ 'N3200' (IWM) | |
| Nanchang CJ-6 | |
| P51 Mustang 'Miss Helen' | |
| Yakovlev Yak-50 | |
| Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 V7497 | |
| Display Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| North American P-51D Mustang 'Contrary Mary' (formerly 'Miss Velma') G-TFSI (Anglia Aircraft Restorations / Ultimate Fighters) | |
| Hispano HA-1112-M4L Buchon "White 9" G-AWHH (Air Leasing) |
| Hispano HA-1112 Buchon G-AWHK 'Yellow 10' (ARC) | |
| Extra 300 G-XXTR | |
| DH83 Foxmoth | |
| Supermarine Spitfire PRXI G-PRXI PL965 | |
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXb G-ASJV MH434 | |
| Supermarine Spitfire LFVb EP120 G-LFVB: The Fighter Collection | |
| T67 Firefly | |
| Grumman Wildcat G-RUMW | |
| Chipmunk | |
| Display Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Hawker Hurricane P3717 | |
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ia G-CFGJ 'N3200' (IWM) | |
 | North American NA-64 Yale |
| PBY-5A Catalina | |
| de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide | |
| North American Harvard Mk.IV 'Wacky Wabbit' |
| Hispano HA-1112 Buchon G-AWHK 'Yellow 10' (ARC) (did not fly) | |
| Curtiss-Wright Hawk 75 G-CCVH (did not fly) | |
| Display Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXb G-ASJV MH434 | |
| Hispano HA-1112 Buchon G-AWHK 'Yellow 10' (ARC) | |
| Goodyear Corsair G-FGID | |
| Piper L4 Grasshoppers (3) | |
| Republic P47 Thunderbolt 'Nellie B' |
| North American P-51D Mustang 'Contrary Mary' (formerly 'Miss Velma') G-TFSI (Anglia Aircraft Restorations / Ultimate Fighters) | |
| Grumman Wildcat G-RUMW | |
| Douglas C-47 Skytrain | |
| Display Aircraft. Flew on the day | |
|---|---|
| Piper L4 (Clive Denney) | |
| Hawker Hurricane Mk Xlla 'P3700' (HAC) (Dave Harvey) | |
 | SIAI Marchetti F.260 G-RAZI (Paul Freeland) |
| PBY-5A Catalina (Derek Head and John Harmsworth) | |
| Goodyear Corsair G-FGID (Brian Smith) | |
| Supermarine Spitfire LFVb EP120 G-LFVB: The Fighter Collection (Dave Southwood) | |
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ia G-CFGJ 'N3200' (IWM) (John Romain) | |
Duxford was an airfield in the First World War and was an RAF fighter station and then an American fighter base in the second. It was the base of the first operational Spitfire squadron during WW2.
It is now home to the Imperial War Museum with aviation, tanks, military vehicles and naval exhibits as well as the Fighter Collection, The Old Flying Machine Company, The Aircraft Restoration Company, Historic Aircraft Collection, B-17 Preservation Society and others.
Duxford is in Cambridgeshire, off Junction 10 of the M11. If you are coming from the north, an alternative is to leave at Junction 11 and take the A10 to Royston, then the A505, although this is a much longer route. The Post Code (for Sat Nav) is CB22 4QR but some systems will only recognise the older code CB2 4QR.
There are links to other route planners in the Travel Advice section.
The easiest (but not the closest) train station is Cambridge, which has a direct service from London.
Alternatives are Royston and Whittlesford Parkway, which is the closest to the show.
It is best to book as far as possible in advance. This is not only because nearby hotels and guest houses tend get booked up well before the date of an airshow but also because prices can be better when you book early online.
The location is already built in to the links but please check, and change as necessary, the dates, number of rooms and number of guests.
Booking.com
There are three Premier Inn hotels in Cambridge and another four within about 20 miles of the show.
Travelodge have one hotel about 4 miles from the show, which tends to be available a little bit longer after other low-cost hotels have been fully booked. There are three more Travelodge hotels in and around Cambridge.
The Met Office 7-day forecast includes actual and "feels like" temperatures, the likelihood of rain, wind speed, wind direction, wind gusts and visibility: the latter can have an impact on the viability of displays.
The BBC's 14-day forecast has overall conditions including and hourly estimate of temperature, wind direction, wind speed and UV range.
Click the blue-text link to go to the forecast. The location is already built into the links.
Free for members but need to be booked.
See the show's page for the specific Flying Day for ticket details.
Parking is free on Flying Days
Sat Nav CB22 4QR
For links to other travel and route planning web sites, click the 'Getting There' tab