Watch the Incredible Sight of 12 Spitfires and 3 Hurricanes During The Duxford’S Big Wing Airshow
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A Tribute in the Skies
In September 2024, visitors at Duxford witnessed a sight that connected the modern day with one of the most defining moments of World War II. A formation of twelve Supermarine Spitfires and three Hawker Hurricanes took to the air in a coordinated display, recreating the idea of the “Big Wing.” The roar of the Merlin engines filled the airfield, echoing the sound that once filled Britain’s skies more than eighty years ago.
The choice of aircraft carried deep meaning. Both the Spitfire and the Hurricane were central to the defense of Britain during the war. Their presence in such numbers was not just for spectacle—it was a living reminder of how these machines once flew together in real combat to defend their country.
The Big Wing Recreated
The term “Big Wing” referred to a tactic used during the Battle of Britain, when several squadrons would form a large wing to attack enemy formations. Though debated among commanders at the time, the sight of so many fighters together had a powerful effect, both in combat and in morale. Seeing this recreated in 2024 gave audiences a rare glimpse of what that strategy might have looked like when it filled the skies over southern England.
The Spitfires, with their graceful elliptical wings, flew alongside the sturdier Hurricanes, each carrying its own history. The Hurricane had borne the brunt of the fighting in 1940, while the Spitfire gained lasting fame as a symbol of the battle. To see fifteen of these aircraft flying in unison today was not just an airshow performance—it was a moving reminder of history kept alive through engineering, restoration, and dedication.
Keep going for the video below:
