'Privilege' to fly in Battle of Britain Air Show

A pilot said it was a "privilege" to be a part of the biggest air show of the year at an imperial war museum.

The Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show event in Cambridgeshire will take place from 08:00 BST to 18:00 on Saturday and Sunday to commemorate the World War Two military campaign.

Spitfires, Hurricanes and other warbirds will take to the air as music, dance, living history groups and activities from the era take place back on the ground.

Pilot, Dave Ratcliffe, known as Rats, said: "You have to pinch yourself, it's a fantastic thing to do...a huge privilege to fly these."

IWM Duxford celebrated its 50th anniversary of hosting air shows last year.

Head of commercial services for the museum, Adam Kendall, said he had been involved for about 21 years and never tired of seeing the aircraft fly.

He said many World War Two veterans were "unfortunately no longer with us" so it was important to "tell their stories now that they can't".

"It's a really good opportunity to understand more about what took place during World War Two, and what people went through...the whole site is just such a historic treasure trove," he said.

"It is an experience to see these incredible aircraft being flown expertly around the site."

The Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show will take place at the former RAF site that played a leading role in some dramatic days in 20th century history.

It served as a base for many of the Spitfire and Hurricane pilots during World War Two.

Mr Ratcliffe said: "It's absolutely fabulous, a great privilege and they are great to fly, full of history.

"The Battle of Britain was a momentous turning point in history...we have to commemorate it every year. We need to remember."

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