First IWM Duxford event of 2026 season to mark VE Day with flying list including Spitfire

The IWM Duxford flying season is back for 2026.

If you are a history enthusiast or love historic aircraft, you probably already know about the Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford‘s yearly flying season. The museum’s flying season runs from May through to October every year and features a range of events.

The first event of the season will take place on Saturday, May 9, and will be dedicated to VE Day. Flying Days: VE Day will be celebrating “the role aviation made in the path to victory during the Second World War”.

The day will feature a flying display with plenty of historic aircraft taking part in the performance. If you already have tickets or are deciding whether to attend the event, here is the current line-up of aircraft taking part in Flying Days: VE Days.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk I

The Supermarine Spitfire Mk I is the IWM Duxford’s only airworthy aircraft and could have been called the Shrew or Scarab by its designer. The Spitfire had many roles throughout the war including as a fighter-bomber, an interceptor, and a trainer.

Hawker Hurricane Mk I

The Hurricane was “the RAF’s first monoplane fighter”, according to IWM Duxford. The Hurricane may have been overshadowed by the Supermarine Spitfire during the Battle or Britain in 1940 but it was essential to Britain’s victory during the Second World War.

The Hurricane P2902 was recovered in 1988 and has been restored using its original 245 Squadron markings.

Grumman Wildcat FM2

The Grumman Wildcat FM2 was flown by both the US Navy and the Fleet Air Arm. The aircraft was originally used by the British as a base-defence fighter but it was also used from escort carriers in the North Atlantic and from fleet carriers in later years.

Hispano HA‑112 MIL Buchón

This aircraft was developed by Spain during and after the Second World War and is a Merlin-powered version of the Bf 109. Buchóns are often used today to stand-in for wartime Luftwaffe Messerschmitt fighters. You may have seem them appear in a range of war films such as the 1969 film Battle of Britain or Dunkirk, which came out in 2017.

North American P‑51D Mustang

This aircraft was designed in 1940 by James H. Kindelberger and his team from North American Aviation. The Mustang is a long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber that was used in both the Second World War and the Korean War.

Lockheed 12A Electra

Described by the IWM Duxford as a “unique aircraft”, the Lockheed 12A Electra was used to secretly photograph German territory at the start of the war. They were also used to transport company executives and government official throughout the war as well as being used privately by those wealthy enough outside of wartime.

de Havilland Canada DHC‑1 Chipmunk Formation

This aircraft will be marking its 80th anniversary this year. The Chipmunk was developed after the end of World War II and was sold as a replacement for the de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane.

The Chipmunk was served as the RAF’s primary trainer from 1950 to the start of the 1990s.

LeVier Cosmic Wind

The LeVier Cosmic Wind is a Formula One air racer rather than an aircraft used for war and it was designed in 1947. The “small, high-performance” aircraft marked a shift towards more “affordable, purpose-built racing” planes.

It never raced in the Us but did win the premier cross-country competition in the UK in 1964.

Bücker Bü 133 Jungmann

The Jungmann was mainly used for aerobatic and air combat training by various air forces. It was a favourite for aerobatics “thanks to its agility and enduring performance” and is described as being “nimble” by the IWM Duxford.

The full flying list of the aircraft that will be performing on the day is subject to weather conditions and serviceability. There are still tickets available for the event, which can be purchased through the IWM Duxford website.