FighterControl

19-20 September 2015
The flying display will commence at 2pm and finish at approximately 5.30pm.

All flying is subject to weather, serviceability and operations commitments.
The Coming of the Second World War

In preparation for war, airfields are modernised, the RAF invests in new fighter aircraft, such as the Supermarine Spitfire, and radar stations are constructed as part of the Air Defence of Great Britain.

de Havilland Hornet Moth D & M Miller
Slingsby Kirby Kite and Piper Super Cub tug D Bramwell / Shuttleworth Collection
Rotorsport Calidus autogyro Gyro Air Displays
Hawker Nimrod The Fighter Collection
Hawker Nimrod Historic Aircraft Collection
Gloster Gladiator The Fighter Collection
Curtiss Hawk 75 The Fighter Collection
Boeing Stearman Kaydet Golden Apple Operations Limited
Bücker Jungmann Skytricks
Stampe SV-4 J Keighley
de Havilland Tiger Moth Classic Wings

The Outbreak of the Second World War

War is declared on 3 September 1939. Neville Chamberlain announces that appeasement has failed and that “this country is at war with Germany”.

Bristol Blenheim Aircraft Restoration Company
Hawker Sea Hurricane Shuttleworth Collection
Hawker Hurricane Historic Aircraft Collection
Hawker Hurricane Minmere Farm Partnership

The Battle of Britain Begins

From 10 July to 11 August 1940, the Luftwaffe attacked British shipping in the channel and drew Britain’s Fighter Command into combat. The beginning of the battle is commemorated by recreating an RAF fighter scramble with pilots running towards their waiting aircraft to chase off the enemy aircraft.

Hispano Buchon (Messerschmitt Bf 109) Aircraft Restoration Company
Hispano Buchon (Messerschmitt Bf 109) Spitfire Limited
Nord 1002 (Messerschmitt Bf 108) Aircraft Restoration Company
Supermarine Spitfire Ia Imperial War Museums
Hawker Hurricane Minmere Farm Partnership

Evolving Tactics

As the Battle of Britain develops, so do the tactics of the pilots of Fighter Command.

North American Harvard Aircraft Restoration Company
North American Harvard The Fighter Collection
North American Harvard T-6 Harvard Aviation
North American Yale Aircraft Restoration Company

Target London

The German forces turn their attentions away from airfields and towards London in what became known as the Blitz. The Duxford Big Wing, an air fighting formation of three to five squadrons, comes into operation for the first time in a patrol over North Weald. This key moment in Duxford’s history is honoured with a massed flypast of Spitfires taking off from our historic airfield.

Supermarine Spitfire Ia Imperial War Museums
Supermarine Spitfire Ia Comanche Fighters
Supermarine Spitfire Ia Comanche Fighters
Supermarine Spitfire V Historic Aircraft Collection
Supermarine Spitfire V The Fighter Collection
Supermarine Spitfire IX Old Flying Machine Company
Supermarine Spitfire IX Historic Flight Foundation
Supermarine Spitfire IX K Perkins
Supermarine Spitfire IXT Air Leasing
Supermarine Spitfire IXT Aircraft Restoration Company
Supermarine Spitfire IXT Boultbee Flight Academy
Supermarine Spitfire XIV The Fighter Collection
Supermarine Spitfire XVI Spitfire Limited
Supermarine Spitfire XVIII Spitfire Limited
Supermarine Spitfire XIX Rolls-Royce
Supermarine Seafire III Air Leasing
Supermarine Seafire XVII Kennet Aviation

Counting the Cost


Approximately one in six RAF Fight Command pilots lost their lives in the Battle of Britain. We honour their bravery and sacrifice.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B B-17 Preservation
Supermarine Spitfire x4 Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, RAF Coningsby
Hawker Hurricane x2 Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, RAF Coningsby

Celebrating Victory

One of the most significant victories in the Second World War, the Battle of Britain made winning the war a
possibility for Britain.

Boeing Chinook 27 Squadron, RAF Odiham
Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle x2 flypast (Saturday only) 492nd Fighter Squadron, USAF, RAF Lakenheath
Eurofighter Typhoon / Supermarine Spitfire 29 (R) Squadron / Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, RAF Coningsby
Supermarine Spitfire Ia Comanche Fighters
Supermarine Spitfire Ia Comanche Fighters
Aerostars – Yak-50 x 4 (Saturday only) Aerostars Aerobatic Formation
The Red Arrows – BAe Hawk x 9 (Sunday only) RAF Aerobatic Team, RAF Scampton

Flying participation confirmed on 9 September.

rdchawk wrote:Red Arrows flying in formation with the BBMF (from a post by Red 10 on twitter)