Full programme of flying displays and family fun announced for the May Bank Holiday Duxford Air Festival

Kids under 16 go free to this May Bank Holiday spectacular

Final flying displays have been announced today, completing a spectacular flying programme for the May Bank Holiday Duxford Air Festival (Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May).

The might of the French Air Force, an elite parachute display team, head-spinning aerobatics and glorious historic aircraft will offer spectacle and excitement for all the family.

Across the museum, families can investigate the wonders of science with Mad Science experiments, help to build a large-scale model of a Boeing B-29 Superfortress and see a replica of the world land speed record-attempting Bloodhound Car.

Visitors can meet serving members of the Parachute Regiment and living history groups representing First World War aviators and Second World War United States Army Air Forces pilots and ground crew.

Entrance to the whole museum – including AirSpace, the newly redeveloped American Air Museum and the Battle of Britain exhibition – is included in the price of the air show ticket.

Announced flying displays for the Duxford Air Festival: ·

• The French Air Force Dassault Rafale, a powerful and agile multi-role fighter aircraft used in combat over Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.
• The Red Devils (Sunday only), the official parachute display team of The Parachute Regiment and The British Army.
• The Trig Aerobatic Team, flying a distinctive pair of yellow and black Pitts S-1D Special biplanes in a dynamic and thrilling aerobatic display. ·
• The Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 jet fighter, one of the best fighter aircraft of the Korean War.
• Glorious historic aircraft, including a rare First World War Sopwith Pup, a North American TF-51 Mustang and, closing the flying display, two Mark I Supermarine Spitfires.

Fun family activities across the museum:

• Colourful and hands-on experiments with Mad Science. The Fantastic Flight show presents a magical mystery tour of aircraft and aerodynamics with amazing demonstrations such as gravitydefying floating balls. In the Stunt Planes and Fantastic Flyers workshop, children will create paper planes to change directions and attempt to loop the loop.
• Have a go at assembling a large 1/8 model of a Boeing B-29 Superfortress from its component parts.
• Meet members of the Bloodhound Project Team and see a replica of the Bloodhound car. The Bloodhound Project is a global engineering adventure, using a 1000mph world land speed record attempt to inspire the next generation to enjoy, explore and get involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Get behind the wheel in the Bloodhound driving experience and find out what it takes to set a World Land Speed record.
• Meet serving personnel from The Parachute Regiment, the 7th (Parachute) Regiment Horse Artillery, 13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistics Corps and 2nd Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles.
• Chat to members of the Dawn Patrol living history group, portraying aviators of the Great War period, and also members of the Ranger Re-enactments living history group, representing Second World War United States Army Air Forces pilots and ground crew next to B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B.
• Get a different perspective of the flying display with our large screens, getting you ever closer to the action.

The Duxford Air Festival commemorates the centenary of IWM Duxford this year. Work began to build Duxford’s airfield in 1917 during the First World War and it became pivotal to the air defence of Great Britain during the Battle of Britain and D-Day operations.