First Aircraft Announced for Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show 2025
The Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show, scheduled for Saturday, September 6, and Sunday, September 7, 2025, is shaping up to be an extraordinary celebration of aviation heritage. Hosted at the storied Imperial War Museum Duxford, this annual spectacle will mark the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, a defining chapter of World War II that saw the RAF stand firm against overwhelming odds. For aviation enthusiasts, the event promises an exhilarating showcase of historic aircraft, from the legendary Spitfires and Hurricanes that defended the skies in 1940 to other rare and remarkable machines that echo the past.
Excitement is already building with the announcement of the first aircraft set to grace the skies over Duxford. Leading the charge are nine Supermarine Spitfires, each a testament to the ingenuity and bravery that defined the era. These agile fighters, synonymous with Britain’s wartime resilience, will headline a diverse lineup that spans bombers, transports, and even a modern helicopter demonstration, all coming together to honour the legacy of those who flew and fought 85 years ago.
16 Spitfires and 4 Hurricanes in formation / Duxford Battle of Britain Airshow 2022
No aircraft embodies the spirit of the Battle of Britain quite like the Spitfire, and Duxford’s 2025 show will feature an impressive array of these icons. Among them is the Supermarine Spitfire Mk I N3200, a veteran of the Dunkirk Campaign and the only airworthy aircraft in the Imperial War Museum’s collection. Restored to flying condition, it carries the scars and stories of its wartime service. Joining it is the Spitfire Mk I AR213, once the personal mount of RAF fighter ace Ginger Lacey, now painted to represent a Mk IIa of 71 Eagle Squadron, a nod to the American volunteers who joined the fight before Pearl Harbor.
Film buffs might recognize the Spitfire Mk I X4650, a star of Christopher Nolan’s 2017 epic Dunkirk. Restored to flight in 2012, it took off from Biggin Hill to relive its glory days. For those drawn to combat records, the Spitfire Mk Vb EP120 stands out, wearing the markings of 402 Squadron “City of Winnipeg” RCAF and boasting seven confirmed kills from its wartime career. The Mk IX ML417, delivered to 443 Squadron RCAF, flew on D-Day in 1944 and later served as a two-seat T9 trainer before returning to its single-seat fighter roots.
The lineup also includes two T9 variants—PV202 and PT462—both converted post-war to accommodate a second seat. PV202 flew as a single-seater during the conflict before joining the Irish Air Corps as a trainer, while PT462 served across Europe late in the war and into the peace that followed, now adorned with its 1945 RAF squadron markings. For a different flavor of Spitfire history, the PR Mk XI PL983 offers a glimpse into aerial reconnaissance, armed with cameras rather than guns and renowned as one of the fastest variants of the breed. Rounding out the group is the Mk XIV RN201, a post-war Belgian Air Force flyer now painted to commemorate the 1946 Kings Cup Air Race.
While Spitfires often steal the spotlight, the Hawker Hurricane was the workhorse of the Battle of Britain, and three remarkable examples will roar over Duxford in 2025. The Hurricane Mk I R4118, built by Gloster in 1940, flew with eleven different pilots during the battle, a survivor now proudly displaying its original 605 Squadron markings. The Hurricane Mk IIb, affectionately nicknamed “Pegs,” holds a unique distinction as the world’s only airworthy two-seat example. Named for the wife of Flight Sergeant C. Bryce Watson, who piloted it during the war, it’s a poignant tribute to both machine and memory.
The third Hurricane, Mk I P3717, is another Battle of Britain veteran. Originally a Mk I, it was later upgraded to a Mk II and has since been restored to its initial configuration, complete with the markings of 253 Squadron. Together, these Hurricanes remind us of the grit and determination that turned the tide in 1940.
The show’s lineup extends well beyond the Spitfires and Hurricanes, offering a rich tapestry of aviation history. The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will bring its Avro Lancaster, one of only two airworthy examples left in the world, to fly on Sunday. This heavy bomber, a symbol of the RAF’s nighttime raids, remains a powerful link to the past. Alongside it, the BBMF’s Douglas C-47 Dakota will showcase the rugged reliability of a transport that ferried troops and supplies across theaters of war.
From the Belgian Air Force comes the NH90 Caiman SAR Demo, a modern helicopter paying homage to the 29 Belgian pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain. Its presence ties the anniversary to contemporary military aviation. Meanwhile, the Bristol Blenheim Mk IF, the sole flying survivor of over 4,400 built, and the Gloster Gladiator Mk II, the RAF’s last biplane fighter, will evoke the early days of the conflict. The Westland Lysander Mk I, one of just two airworthy in the UK, and the Hawker Nimrod Mk II, a rare 1930s biplane of which only two exist worldwide, add further depth to the display.
American designs will also shine, with the North American P-51D Mustang “Marinell” leading a contingent that includes the Curtiss P-36C Hawk, P-40F Warhawk, P-40C Tomahawk, and Hawk 75. Each brings its own wartime tale, from the polished Tomahawk once used as a commander’s personal ride to the Merlin-powered Warhawk that battled across multiple fronts. The Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina, a hulking flying boat, will represent the US 8th Air Force’s 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron, its massive wingspan a sight to behold.
Adding a potential twist to the lineup, the Canadair CL-13B (F-86E) Sabre Mk6 from Mistral Warbirds has self-confirmed its attendance, though the organizers have yet to officially greenlight its display. A Korean War veteran, this jet fighter could bring a thrilling contrast to the propeller-driven classics if its participation is finalized.
With its blend of history, heroism, and sheer engineering marvel, the Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show is poised to captivate aviation enthusiasts in 2025. From the Spitfires that danced in the skies of 1940 to the rare biplanes and American warbirds that followed, this event offers a living connection to the past. Whether you’re drawn by the roar of engines or the stories they carry, September 6 and 7 at Duxford will be a weekend to cherish.
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