Thousands of fans enjoy Imperial War Museum Duxford’s Battle of Britain Air Show

More than 40,000 visitors braved traffic congestion this weekend to enjoy one of the biggest and most popular air shows in Imperial War Museum Duxford's history. 

An evocative commemoration of the aerial battle which proved the strategic turning point in the Second World War, the Battle of Britain 70th anniversary weekend air display dazzled visitors with exceptional historic flying aircraft from the period.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight of Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire took to the skies above the legendary airfield, followed by four Hurricanes and an Me 109 Bouchon in formation, but perhaps the most dramatic site of the day was the formation flypast of 16 Spitfires.

On the ground, living history groups brought Duxford to 1940s life with atmospheric interpretations of Second World War RAF pilots, engineers and WAAFs.

No.19 Squadron, the first Squadron to fly Spitfires which flew from Duxford and its satellite station Fowlmere during the Battle of Britain, also took the skies in a five Hawk formation flypast.

The Museum continues to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with the Duxford and the Battle of Britain photographic exhibition in AirSpace (running until December 2010); the Polish Airmen in the Battle of Britain historic display in Hangar 4: The Battle of Britain (running until March 31 2011) and the Duxford, Spitfires and the Battle of Britain Special Interest Day on September 11 2010.

Keep up to speed with the latest news about the Battle of Britain 70th anniversary at www.culture24.org.uk/battle-of-britain