The Definitive List 2026

With Airshow 2026 just over a week away, here’s the definitive list of what’s flying and a few improvements on the ground for 2026. Unless stated otherwise, all acts appear both days. 

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Sally B will open the show both days with our now traditional singing of the national anthem of the UK and US at the War Memorial whilst the flags are raised. The only Flying Fortress in the skies outside the US, she’s a 29 tonne flying memorial to 79,000 Allied Airmen who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWII. 

The US is well represented this year as we present the US Fighter Formation of two North American P-51 Mustangs alongside the remarkable P-47 Thunderbolt, the only one flying in the world. 

However, this year’s theme is a tribute to the most famous single engined aircraft, Supermarine Spitfire MH434. It just so happens that it’s also the 90th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire so we’ve gone overboard and broken our own record for the biggest number of Spitfires at the Airshow. On Saturday, MH434 displays, as does  one of the BBMF Spitfires from the RAF, along with Mk 9 Spitfires RW232 and MK912 and the Airshow debut of Ultimate Warbird’s Mark 5 Spitfire EE602 . Sunday will see MH434, RW232 and MK912 as well as the debut of Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar’s Spirit of Kent TA805. 

Saturday will see the largest aircraft we’ve ever seen here the Boeing 727 Tri Jet - one of two oil spill response aircraft owned and operated by the remarkable 2Excel. Sunday, big aircraft which were also airliners are well represented by the BBMF’s Dakota, the Military variant of the Douglas DC3. Both days will see the welcome return after several years of the PBY Catalina Flying Boat, the only example flying outside of the US. The Westland Lysander, the ultimate spy aircraft of WWII also adds to an extraordinary mix of aircraft types and missions from the War. 

Of course the rarest warbirds in the sky are not the only feature - this year The Jet Pitts of Rich Goodwin is coming back to demonstrate once more why strapping two jet engines to an already very powerful aircraft is a good idea, Rich will perform both days as will Award Winning Christophe Simon who is back in his CAP 10 demonstrating his balletic aerobatics. The Vans RV7 of Mark Linney will be here for the first time and Mark, a former Harrier pilot, appears both days. 

Another debut comes courtesy of the have to be seen to be believed Calidus Autogyro of Peter Davis. A firm favourite at Airshows across the UK, the autogyro is capable of things which, by comparison with all the other aircraft, make no sense. You’ll see what we mean. 

Another birthday comes in the form of the 80th Anniversary of the DeHavilland Chipmunk; the only appropriate way to celebrate this is to arrange the first ever formation of several of the most important examples of this remarkable training aircraft, including the very last ever built. Chipmunks lend themselves to Airshows, but another trainer the Diamond DA-42 really is a new thing at Airshows, and making his debut Jason Buglass will demonstrate why the trainer of airline pilots is also a very interesting addition to our line up. 

Speaking of interesting, the Last Dogfight of WWII is once again re-enacted. A most unlikely match up of an unarmed Piper Cub spotter plane v. an equally unarmed Storch spotter plane ended aerial derring do in the European theatre with one of the most interesting bouts in the skies. Slow moving spotter aircraft are one thing, but the Cassutt Racer will return and it’s essentially airborne Formula One, blink and you’ll miss it. You can take more time however, and you don’t need to look up either as The Turbulent Team make a welcome come back, at 6 feet, flour bomb the place and then fly under a limbo. You have read this correctly. 

Glamour and Style from the 30’s will be on the agenda too as The Lockheed 12 Electra makes its debut with us - sleek elegant and iconic this twin engined masterpiece is the star of movies and stuff of legend. The same can equally be said of Beechcraft’s Staggerwing which is consistently voted one of the most beautiful aircraft of all time, and deservedly so. Like the Electra, it's very powerful thanks to Pratt and Whitney but unlike the Electra it only has one (massively powerful) engine. So we have Two Staggerwings once again in formation to compensate. 

The RAF Falcons will end the festivities each day because if you’re going to have to end an afternoon of the finest aviation, it’s best to do it with the greatest parachute display team the world has ever seen. 

And on the ground we’ve made a few changes. By popular demand we’ve done away with the previous funfair and in its place we’ll once again be offering state of the art flying simulators and the ability to go flying thanks to Flying Made Easy, the aerodrome’s flying school. You can also see The Commemorative Air Force’s ‘Little Blue Cloud’ as she visits us on her epic tour of the UK. Other attractions on the ground? Dad’s Army are back in Walmington on Sea, meet the emergency services including RAF Mildenhall’s fire fighters as well as the US Air Force. Head for the US School Bus if you need a drink, and Dann’s Ice Cream will be on offer throughout. 

Country Music arrives at the Blister Hangar each morning, from 1030 Saturday Southbound will be live, and on Sunday Cedar Creek join us. Fiona Harber will also be back, closing out the show each afternoon.