Aircraft

As the nation celebrates the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Air Force, the skies above Bicester Heritage - the former RAF Bicester and Britain’s best-preserved WW2 bomber base - will come to life in the most appropriate fashion at The Show. The action-packed programme will include daily air displays from the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Dakota, the Bremont Great War Display Team and the magnificent trio that is the BBMF Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster.

• The Bremont Great War Display will stage an exhilarating recreation of a WW1 ‘dogfight’, with aircraft such as Sopwith and Fokker Dr1 triplanes showing just how nimble these early warbirds were. The Royal Flying Corps, the predecessor to the RAF, flew out of Bicester Airfield, and the team’s display is a superb demonstration of the war that raged in the skies a century ago, when the life expectancy of the young pilots was tragically short. In addition, when not in full fight mode, the team’s aircraft will be parked up on the airfield for Show visitors to see.
• Moving the war in the air forward a few decades, the unforgettable BBMF Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster air display will showcase the fighter and bomber planes that helped seal victory for The Allies in WW2. It will be eyes to the skies and cameras at the ready for the Show crowds when this trio comes into view.
• The BBMF Dakota is a splendid example of this military version of the Douglas DC-3 airliner, one of the most long-lived and successful transport aircraft ever made. An air display that puts this large aircraft through its paces promises to be something rather special.
• The programme will also include top display pilot Lauren Richardson, former British Female Aerobatic Champion, who will give a thrilling demonstration of the agility of her glorious, bright red Pitts Special aerobatic biplane. 
• Another very special lady in the Show's air display programme is Miss Helen, a P-51D Mustang. She has a deadly WW2 service record and, although 73 years old, is still capable of reaching up to 460mph. 
• Last, but not least, on each day of the Show you'll be able to enjoy the terrifically talented Tiger Nine team when they entertain us all with their superbly synchronised display featuring nine Tiger Moths. 

We'll also have a great array of static aircraft in the showground for you to get up close to, including 'Drag 'em Oot' - an Arnhem and D-Day veteran Dakota - a Harvard, a Skeeter helicopter and a clutch of Austers. 

BBMF Spitfire, Lancaster and Hurricane. Image Crown copyright

Lauren Richardson Pitts Special

Tiger Nines in flight. Image: Chris Byrne