Honouring D-Day and more

The D-Day landings, also known as Operation Overlord, was one of the most decisive military campaigns of the Second World War, which saw 156,000 Allied troops arrive in Normandy on 6 June 1944, for a combined naval, air and land assault on Nazi-occupied France. In partnership with Aero Legends and the D-Day Squadron, the special Duxford Summer Air Show: D-Day 80 will pay tribute to this momentous anniversary by welcoming ten historic Dakotas – the aircraft synonymous with the D-Day landings – to the skies of Duxford for a series of dramatic flypasts over the weekend and a mass historic parachute jump over the historic airfield on Saturday 1 June. 

Tickets are selling fast, book now to secure your place in history.

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  • Saturday 1 June

    On Saturday only, a series of air displays and a mass jump of over 100 parachutists will take place from a fleet of Second World War era Dakotas over the historic Duxford airfield.

  • Sunday 2 June

    On Sunday, the Dakotas will fly from RAF North Weald in a grand parade over Duxford as they make their way over to Cherbourg to continue the historic commemorations. 

About The D-Day Squadron

Three C-47s flying over the coast
© Mike Killian

To mark the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord, the world-famous D-Day Squadron will return to the skies of historic Duxford, following the sell-out Daks Over Duxford event in 2019 for the historic D-Day 75 commemorations. 

The formation will include seven Dakotas from the D-Day Squadron (DDS). The participating DDS aircraft are expected to include 7 Douglas DC-3s and C-47s from the USA and Europe.

About Aero Legends

Dakota Aero Legends parked
© Aero Legends

Joining the D-Day Squadron will be two UK based C-47 Skytrains from IWM partners, Aero Legends.

Aero Legends will be hosting the D-Day Squadron fleet on the ground at their base at RAF North Weald before our displays (both days) and mass parachute drop (Saturday only) takes place over historic RAF Duxford.

There are differences between the published schedule for Saturday and Sunday, including The RAF Red Arrows.  Please read the listing below carefully when choosing your booking. All flying is subject to weather and serviceability on the day. 

Red Arrows in flight against a blue sky
©IWM

The Red Arrows | Sunday Only

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows, are one of the world's premier aerobatic display teams.
Lancaster in flight against a blue sky
© IWM

BBMF Lancaster Display | Sunday Only

One of only two flying in the world, the Avro Lancaster is the most famous and successful RAF heavy bomber of the Second World War.
ARMED FORCES PAY TRIBUTE TO FORCES SWEETHEART WITH FLYPAST AT THE FUNERAL OF DAME VERA LYNN
UK MOD © Crown copyright

BBMF Hurricane & Spitfire Tailchase | Saturday Only

Expect an exciting tail chase performed by a pair of Spitfire and Hurricanes operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
P-38 Lightning of The Flying Bulls parked with mountains behind
©The Flying Bulls

Lockheed P-38 Lightning

Designed by the renowned aviation engineer Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, the unique looking P-38 fighter was faster than any American aircraft the preceded it. It is the only Lightning in Europe, owned and operated by The Flying Bulls.
B-25 Mitchell in flight
©The Flying Bulls

North American B-25J Mitchell

An American aircraft type famed for the “Doolittle Raid” and providing inspiration behind the novel Catch-22. British B-25 medium bombers took part in Operation Overlord and in the Allied advance into Occupied Europe.
The Flying Bulls DC-6 aircfraft in flight
©The Flying Bulls

Douglas-DC-6B

The sheer size and unmistakable 1950s look of the American built DC-6 is impressive. Built in 1958, this famous transporter aircraft was used to chauffeur heads of state and their celebrity guests all over the world.
F-86 Sabre in flight
Mistral Warbirds

Canadair Sabre Mk.6

The Sabre is an early American jet fighter, famous for combat against the MiG-15 during the Korean War. This Sabre was built for the German Luftwaffe and is now the only flying F-86 (CL-16) Sabre outside of the USA.
Two AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers in flight
©IWM

AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers

The world’s only aerobatic formation wingwalking team are back with a performance celebrating their 40th year of dancing in the skies!
Team Raven flying in formation
ravendisplayteam.com

Team Raven

Team Raven is a formation aerobatic display team flying one of the most popular modern self-build aircraft, the Vans RV8.
Jet Pitts taking off at Duxford Air Shows
©IWM

Jet Pitts Muscle Biplane

Rich Goodwin is passionate about building, developing, and displaying his Jet Pitts Muscle Biplane. You have never seen anything quite like this, his flying skill is not to be missed!
Team Titan aircraft in flight
©Team Titan

The Titans

The Titans will fly a unique pair of dissimilar aircraft, themed in the Titan Airways paint scheme, displaying their exhilarating world of aerobatics, precision flying and daring aerial manoeuvres.

The Flying Comrades

Introducing The Flying Comrades, a team of Duxford based pilots with Duxford Summer Air Show special guest Peter Kuypers, captain of the famous B-17 'Sally B'. The team are flying classic Soviet Yakovlev training aircraft, the Yak-50/52 and Yak-18T. Expect exciting aerobatics and close formation flying.

A great day out whatever the weather!

Although most showground entertainment and all flying takes place outdoors, your ticket purchase includes entry to IWM Duxford’s museum, hangars and static collections. However, we do strongly advise you to come prepared for all weather conditions to ensure you can enjoy your day at IWM Duxford, whatever the weather may bring! 

Location

Duxford Summer Air Show, view from above
Address

IWM Duxford
Duxford
Cambridgeshire
CB22 4QR

  • Cambridge Train Station
  • Whittlesford Parkway Station