2nd - 4th June 2023
The Red Arrows are due to display on Friday and Saturday. Flypast only on Sunday
The Midlands Air Festival will return in 2023 to Ragley Hall, its original home, and where it was a massive success in 2018, 2021 and 2022.
The traditional Nightfire on Friday will feature two air displays, with pyrotechnics, and a balloon glow followed by a mass ascent. There will be another four mass ascents early in the morning and later at night on the other two days subject, as always, to weather and other constraints. There are more details on the show's web site.
As well as the 'real' aircraft displays, expect truly impressive scale model displays, too, some with aerial battle re-enactments.
A list of the aircraft is in the table and on the show's web site.
Tickets will not be available on the gate. Tickets are available in advance via the show's web site.
| Aircraft due to fly Please check the show's site for the latest list | |
|---|---|
 | Red Arrows. Displays on Fri & Sat. Flypast only on Sunday. |
 | Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 (RAF) Fri & Sat (not Sunday) |
 | Douglas C-47 Skytrain '19345' N473DC 'Drag 'Em Oot' (Aero Legends) (Sunday only) |
 | Lauren Wilson, Pitts S-1S Special (Fri, Sat & Sun) |
 | Grumman F8F-2P Bearcat G-RUMM (Sat & Sun) |
 | Stampe Formation Flying Team (up to 4 Stampe SV.4 biplanes) (Fri, Sat & Sun) |
| Turbulent Team (Fri, Sat & Sun) | |
 | Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers (Fri, Sat & Sun) |
| Fournier RF4 Motorglider (Fri, Sat & Sun) | |
 | Calidus Autogyro G-DISP, Peter Davies (Fri, Sat & Sun) |
 | North American P-51D Mustang: Rolls Royce Heritage Flight (Fri, Sat & Sun) |
 | Vickers Supermarine Spitfire X1X PS853 G-RRGN: Rolls Royce Heritage Flight (Fri, Sat & Sun) |
 | BBMF Lancaster 'PA474 Leader' with Spitfire and Hurricane (Fri & Sat) |
 | Supermarine Spitfire (unspecified) (BBMF) with Lancaster and Hurricane (Fri & Sat) |
 | BBMF Hawker Hurricane solo (Sunday only. With Lancaster and Spitfire on Fri & Sat) |
 | Grob Tutor (RAF) (Sat & Sun) |
| Team Raven (Sat & Sun) | |
 | RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team (Fri, Sat & Sun) |
| Brendan O'Brien & Otto the helicopter (During 'Night Fire' on Friday only) | |
| Airborne Pyrotechnics Sponsored by Sydney Charles. (During 'Night Fire' on Friday only) | |
| Gazelle Squadron. Helicopter foursome (Sat & Sun) | |
| Mono Display Team (Taylor Monoplanes x2) (Sat & Sun) | |
 | North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco (Sat & Sun) |
 |
de Havilland Vampire (Sat & Sun) |
| Saab J35 Draken (Swedish Air Force Historic Flight) (Sunday only) | |
 | Extra 300S (Chris Burkett) (Sunday only) |
| Cancelled | |
 | Boeing B-17G 'Sally B' (Cancelled. Suspended flying operations - techincal issue) |
In case there are mistakes or changes, please check the show's site for the latest list. Appearances are always subject to technical, weather and other constraints. | |
Camping & glamping are available to visitors who buy a 3-day ticket. More details on their web site.
Ragley Hall, a stately home eight miles west of Stratford-upon-Avon, completed in 1750. It is the ancestral seat of the Marquess of Hertford and is currently the family home of the 9th Marquess and Marchioness.
2nd - 4th June 2022
A display by the Red Arrows on Saturday has been added to the schedule. The Red Arrows are now scheduled to display on all three days
The Midlands Air Festival returned in 2022 to Ragley Hall, its original home, and where it was a massive success in 2018 and 2021.
In 2022 the show will commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, marking Her Majesty the Queen’s 70 year reign, and will feature the very best of British. Tickets were limited once again, to ensure a comfortable and spacious atmosphere. Priority and a discounted rate were offered to all 2021 ticketholders from mid August 2021 before becoming generally available and have since sold out.
The format is essentially the same as in 2021, with a Nightfire on Thursday 2nd, air displays, hot air balloon launches, trade stands, children's rides and entertainment.
There were due to be 5 mass ascents between Thursday and Saturday evenings with over 100 rainbow coloured hot air balloons and around 30 special shapes, but high winds caused the cancellation of the Saturday morning launch.
There was a chance for a very limited number of visitors to take to the air in a hot air balloon, through Phil Hooper and the Sky High Ballooning team, but all places have now been sold.
| Aircraft due to fly Please check the show's site for the latest list | |
|---|---|
| Red Arrows (all 3 days) | |
| BBMF Lancaster 'PA474 Leader' (Fri & Sat) | |
| Grob Tutor (RAF) (all 3 days) | |
| RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team (all 3 days) | |
| Boeing B-17G 'Sally B' (Fri & Sat) | |
| Strikemaster pair, G-SOAF and G-RSAF (Fri & Sat) | |
| BAC Jet Provost T5 XW324 (all 3 days. Pilot Phil Bird) | |
| de Havilland Vampire T.11 WZ507/G-VTII (was Saturday only. Now all 3 days) | |
| Team Raven (Fri & Sat) | |
| Tiger 9 Formation Team (all 3 days) | |
| Turbulent Team (all 3 days) | |
| Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina (was Thursday only, now all 3 days) | |
| Bronco (Fri & Sat) | |
| Vickers Supermarine Spitfire X1X PS853 G-RRGN: Rolls Royce Heritage Trust (all three days) | |
| North American P-51D Mustang: Rolls Royce Heritage Trust (all 3 days) | |
| RotorSport Calidus Autogyro (all 3 days, pilot Peter Davies) | |
| Sydney Charles Airborne Pyrotechnics Display Team (two Grob 109b motor gliders) (Fri & Sat) | |
| Brendan O'Brien & Otto the helicopter (Fri & Sat) | |
| Pitts Special S-1E, Jubileelivery (Ian Smith) (all 3 days) | |
| CAP 10 (Christophe Simon) (Thursday) | |
| Auster AOP6 TW536: Kevin Hale (all 3 days) | |
| Cancelled | |
| Fournier RF4D Motor Glider (cancelled) | |
In case there are mistakes or changes, please check the show's site for the latest list. Appearances are always subject to technical, weather and other constraints. | |
Electric scooters and manual wheelchairs can be made available for people who need them. This is being arranged by Event Mobility and has to be booked in advance via the Event Mobility website.
Camping, glamping and pitches for a caravan, campervan or motorhome are generally available. More details on their web site.
Ragley Hall, a stately home eight miles west of Stratford-upon-Avon, completed in 1750. It is the ancestral seat of the Marquess of Hertford and is currently the family home of the 9th Marquess and Marchioness.
This is provided to give an idea of the day's content. Check the show's web site for the latest in case there are changes
| Thursday 2nd | |
|---|---|
| 13:00 | Gate Opens |
| 14:00 - 16:00 | Hot Air Balloon Tethering |
| 16.30 - 17.30 | Evening Air Display |
| 17.45 - 18.30 | Large Model Aircraft |
| 18.30 - 20.30 | Hot Air Balloon Mass Ascent |
| 21:15 - 21:45 | Pyrotechnic Aircraft Displays |
| 21:50 - 22:15 | Hot Air Balloon Glow |
| 22:20 - 22:30 | Spectacular Firework Finale |
| 23:30 | Gate Closes |
| Friday 3rd | |
|---|---|
| 05:30 | Gate Opens |
| 06:00 - 08:00 | Hot Air Balloon Mass Ascent |
| 09:00 - 11:00 | Large Model Aircraft |
| 11:00 - 12:30 | Hot Air Balloon Tethering |
| 13:00 - 18:00 | Air Display |
| 18:30 - 20:30 | Hot Air Balloon Mass Ascent |
| 21:30 | Gate Closes |
| Saturday 4th | |
|---|---|
| 05:30 | Gate Opens Delayed to 8.30 |
| 06:00 - 08:00 | Hot Air Balloon Mass Ascent Cancelled due to high winds |
| 09:00 - 11:00 | Large Model Aircraft |
| 11:00 - 12:30 | Hot Air Balloon Tethering |
| 13:00 - 18:00 | Air Display |
| 18:30 - 20:30 | Hot Air Balloon Mass Ascent |
| 21:30 | Gate Closes |
4 - 6- June 2021
The Red Arrows are due to display on Friday & Saturday and flypast on Sunday
The Midlands Air Festival will return in 2021 to Ragley Hall, its original home, and where it was a massive success in 2018.
The format will be essentially the same as when the show was last at Ragley Hall in 2018, with a nightfire and evening display on Friday and daytime air displays at the weekend.
The show has over 100 balloons registered to take part in the 2021 festival, including over 40 special shapes. There are plans for twice-daily hot air balloon mass ascents. New for 2021, there will also be huge character kites in the form of various animals and model aircraft displays to go with the model balloon displays throughout the weekend.
Tickets are available in advance only.There will be no tickets on the gate.
Ticket details are on the show's web site (click the blue text to go there).
| Aircraft due to flyPlease check the show's site for the latest list | |
|---|---|
| Red Arrows (Fri, Sat displays: Sun flypast) | |
| Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF) (Sat & Sun) | |
| RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team (Sat & Sun) | |
| Supermarine Spitfire pair (BBMF) (Sat & Sun) | |
| Boeing B-17G 'Sally B' (Sat & Sun) | |
| PBY-5A Catalina (Sat & Sun) | |
| Richard Goodwin in Pitts G-EWIZ (Sat & Sun) | |
 | Richard Goodwin in Jet Pitts S2S (Sat & Sun) |
| Team Raven (Sat & Sun) | |
 | Stampe Formation Flying Team (four SV.4 Stampe biplanes) (Fri, Sat & Sun) |
| Turbulent Team (Sat & Sun) | |
| Calidus Autogyro, Peter Davies (Fri, Sat & Sun) | |
| Brendan O'Brien & Otto the helicopter (Sat & Sun) | |
| Westland Wasp (Fri, Sat & Sun) | |
| Tiger 9 Formation Team (Sat & Sun) | |
| Gipsy Pair (Auster and Chipmunk) (Fri, Sat & Sun) | |
| Vintage Pair: DHC-1 Chipmunks 1350 and WG308 (Sat & Sun) | |
 | SIAI Marchetti F.260 G-RAZI (Fri, Sat & Sun) |
| Supermarine Spitfire 'PT879' (The Russian Spitfire): Peter Teichman - public debut | |
| RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team (Sat & Sun) | |
In case there are mistakes or changes, please check the show's site for the latest list Appearances are always subject to technical, weather and other constraints. | |
Camping and pitches for a caravan, campervan or motorhome will all be available. Glamping has sold out. More details on their web site.
Friday
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 16:00 | Gate Opens |
| 16:00 - 17:00 | Hot Air Balloon Tethering |
| 16:00 - 17:00 | Character Kites |
| 17:00 - 18:00 | Large Model Aircraft |
| 18:30 - 20:00 | Hot Air Balloon Mass Ascent |
| 20:15 - 21:00 | Evening Air Display |
| 21:15 - 21:45 | Pyrotechnic Aircraft Displays |
| 21:50 - 22:15 | Hot Air Balloon Glow |
| 22:20 - 22:30 | Spectacular Firework Finale |
| 23:30 | Gate Closes |
Saturday and Sunday
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 05:00 | Gate Opens |
| 05:30 - 07:30 | Hot Air Balloon Mass Ascent |
| 08:00 - 09:00 | Character Kites |
| 09:00 - 11:00 | Large Model Aircraft |
| 11:00 - 12:30 | Hot Air Balloon Tethering |
| 13:00 - 18:00 | Air Display |
| 18:00 - 19:00 | Character Kites |
| 18:30 - 20:30 | Hot Air Balloon Mass Ascent |
| 21:30 | Gate Closes |
Ragley Hall, a stately home eight miles west of Stratford-upon-Avon, completed in 1750. It is the ancestral seat of the Marquess of Hertford and is currently the family home of the 9th Marquess and Marchioness.
May 29 - 31
Brendan O'Brien's Otto was one of the dusk displays on Friday
In May 2019 The Festival was held at Arbury Hall, Arbury Park, Nuneaton. It featured a Nightfire and virtually all kinds of aviation over the weekend. Fascinating special shapes were amongst the balloons that took part in the night glow on Friday and two mass balloon ascents. Although there were cancellations, most of the aircraft also displayed.
Nightfire on the Friday evening featured a night time aerobatic air display with lights and pyrotechnics, followed by a hot air balloon glow: balloons inflated and burning to a choreographed music track and a fireworks finale.
Arbury Hall, set in lakes and parkland of over 100 acres, was built on the ruins of a 12th century Augustinian Priory and remodelled into the Gothic style in the second half of the 18th century.
The Estate includes Arbury Hall, park and farms, residential properties, a commercial estate and Astley Castle & Manor.
| Aircraft Scheduled to fly in daylight | |
|---|---|
| Saturday and Sunday unless noted | |
| Fournier RF4 Motorglider (Bob Grimstead) (also Friday) | |
| Catalina PBY-5A (Catalina Society 'Plane Sailing') | |
| Yakolev YAK3-U (Will Greenwood) | |
| Team Raven | |
| Brendan O'Brien in J-3 Cub | |
| Brendan O'Brien & Otto the helicopter | |
| Westland Wasp (also Friday) | |
| Calidus Autogyro, Peter Davies (also Friday) | |
| Strikemaster pair, G-SOAF and G-RSAF Cancelled - pilot unwell replaced by Jet Provost Mk3 | |
| SIAI Marchetti F260 | |
| Stampe Formation Flying Team (four SV.4 Stampe biplanes) |
| Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers | |
| P-51D Mustang 'The Shark' (Norwegian Spitfire Foundation) | |
 | Hawker T20 Sea Fury (Norwegian Spitfire Foundation) |
| Red Devils Parachute Display Team | |
| Auster (Friday only) | |
| Silence Twister solo (Friday only) | |
| Nightfire on Friday | |
|---|---|
| Scheduled to fly at dusk, with fireworks | |
| Brendan O'Brien in J-3 Cub | |
| Brendan O'Brien & Otto the helicopter | |
| Silence Twister solo with Grob x2 | |
| Red Devils Parachute Display Team. | |
| 30 Balloons | |
18 - 20 May 2018
The Bristol Blenheim: one of the displays
This new aviation event for the Midlands, featuring virtually every type of aviation, was a massive success.
Nightfire on the Friday evening featured a night time aerobatic air display with lights and pyrotechnics, followed by a hot air balloon glow: balloons inflated and burning to a choreographed music track and a fireworks finale.
Most of the air displays were on Saturday and Sunday. They included classic WW1 & WW2 fighters, high energy aerobatics, classic jets, flying circus, helicopters, a gyrocopter and a full hot air balloon festival with around 75 balloons, mainly special shapes.
On the ground there were trade stalls, catering, exhibitors, arena events and activities, including Battlefield South’s Commando laser shooting experience: free of charge on a first come first served basis. Ragley Hall itself was open and could be visited for an additional donation.
The flying displays are listed in the table.
Ragley Hall, a stately home completed in 1750, is the ancestral seat of the Marquess of Hertford and is currently the family home of the 9th Marquess and Marchioness.
| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Due to fly (tap / hover over icon for more detail) | |
| P-51D Mustang 'The Shark' | |
| Bristol Blenheim | |
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1 'N3200' | |
| Lauren Wilson in Pitts S-1S | |
| Turbulent Team | |
| Hawker Fury FB11 | |
| Calidus Autogyro, Peter Davies | |
| Westland Wasp: Terry Martin | |
| Fournier RF4 Motor Glider | |
| Catalina | |
| Strikemaster | |
| Harvard | |
| Beech 18 | |
| Great War Display Team | |
| Auster | |
| P-47 Thunderbolt | |
| Stampe Formation Flying Team ‘Belgian Ballerinas’ | |
| Otto the helicopter, flown by Brendan O'Brien (also Friday evening) | |
| Twister (solo) (Friday Evening) | |
| Sydney Charles Display Team (Grob Motor Gliders x2) (Friday evening) | |
Use postcode B49 5NJ in the sat nav until you get close but ignore the sat nav in favour of local direction signs as soon as you see them.
There are links to other route planners in the Travel Advice section.
Statford-upon-Avon train station is about 8 miles from Ragley Hall.
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.
There are plenty of booking agencies. We find that many of the well known ones are better at finding hotels from international or larger UK chains and may suggest hotels in main towns or cities quite a distance from the show site.
There are three Premier Inn hotels in Evesham and Stratford-upon-Avon (roughly 9 miles away) as well as several more a little further out.
There are two Travelodge hotels within 10 miles, the nearests at Stratford Alcester less than 2 miles from Ragley Hall, and there are a few more slightly further away.
Click any of the blue names to go to the corresponding web site. The links already have the location built in, but please check, and change as necessary, the dates, number of rooms and number of guests.
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.
2nd - 4th June 2023
Slipstream Management Ltd.
info@midlandsairfestival.com.
Click the blue text for ticket details on the show's web site.
Applications for trade spaces are now closed. Details are on the show's web site
Parking is free but needs a ticket. Add one to your ticket order.
The 'FAQ' section of the show's web site says "we will not allow dogs or pets anywhere on the site".
Postcode B49 5NJ
For links to other travel and route planning web sites, click the 'Getting There' tab