Flying Displays 2025

Flying Both Days

Built in 1937, this luxurious twin-engined biplane shares its graceful DNA with the Dragon Rapide and Comet Racer and is one of only two airworthy examples left in the world. Finished in a striking gloss red scheme, G-AEDU carries a rich international history from Mozambique to Johannesburg, Hatfield to Kentucky, and now flying proudly once again in the UK. A living link to the golden age of British aviation, don't miss this rare opportunity to see the Dragonfly in the air where it belongs.

Flying Both Days

Another legend of the skies joins the Manston International Airshow flying display line-up on the 16th & 17th August 2025, please welcome the iconic P-51D Mustang "Moonbeam McSwine" from the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar. This beautifully restored Mustang wears the markings of Moonbeam McSwine, the P-51D flown by triple Ace Capt. William T. Whisner, who scored 15½ aerial victories in WWII and the Korean War.

Flying Both Days

Joining our flying display lineup for the Manston International Airshow 2025, please welcome Steven Bakhtiari in his XtremeAir XA-41! A two-time British Advanced Aerobatic Champion, Steven is one of the most exciting new pilots on the UK airshow circuit and will represent Team Great Britain at the World Advanced Aerobatic Championships in Hungary later this year. Expect precision, power, and a seriously high-energy routine from this rising star of the skies.

Flying Both Days

Joining the flying display at the Manston International Airshow is the Invicta Aero Club with their Pitts S-2B Special! This wonderful aerobatic biplane will open its routine flanked by two of the club's Piper Archers in formation, showcasing the spirit, skill, and community of flying. Once the Archers peel away, prepare for a solo display of stall turns, loops, rolls and high energy manoeuvres in the classic red-and-white Pitts!

Flying Both Days

History comes alive at the Manston International Airshow with a special flying re-enactment of 'The Last Dogfight' from WW2 featuring a Piper L-4H Grasshopper Cub and a replica Fieseler Storch! Based on a true encounter in the closing days of WW2, this unique display recreates the unlikely aerial duel between two of the war's most distinctive liaison aircraft. With slow speed flying, tactical manoeuvres and a powerful tribute to the 'Last Dogfight'

Flying Both Days

One of the most iconic aircraft of WWII will take to the skies at the Manston International Airshow on the 16th & 17th August 2025: The Fairey Swordfish W5856 from Navy Wings The oldest airworthy Swordfish in the world, W5856 first flew in 1941 and served with the Royal Navy’s Mediterranean Fleet. After a remarkable life spanning war service, Canadian training duty, and near abandonment, she was beautifully restored and now flies in the markings of 820 NAS during the attack on the Bismarck.

Flying Both Days

Also joining us from the hangars of Amicale Alençonnaise des Avions Anciens A3A in France, the Dassault Flamant MD-312 will be flying on the 16th & 17th August 2025 at the Manston International Airshow. Rarely seen in UK skies, the elegant Flamant was designed just after WWII as a light transport and multi-role aircraft for the French Air Force. This is a rare chance to see a piece of post-war French aviation history displaying over the skies of Manston!

Flying Both Days

Making its UK flying display debut at Manston International Airshow, the Grumman S-2 Tracker Conair Firecat! Originally built for anti-submarine warfare and later converted into an aerial firefighting aircraft, this rare twin-engine warbird will be based out of and displaying on both days of the Manston International Airshow

Flying Both Days

Something a little different joins the Manston International Airshow lineup, Peter Davies and his remarkable Calidus Autogyro! Gyro Air Displays A veteran of airshows across the UK, Peter delivers a jaw dropping display of precision flying and agility in this unique rotary aircraft. Tight turns, low passes, and pure aerial fun, you won't believe what this little gyrocopter can do!

Flying Both Days

One of the rarest Spitfires flying today joins the lineup at Manston International Airshow. Please welcome Spitfire Mk IX LZ842 from the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar. Built in 1943 at Castle Bromwich and delivered for service in the Mediterranean theatre, LZ842 flew from Malta and Sicily with both RAF and Free French squadrons before a remarkable post-war journey that took it across continents, from Belgium to South Africa, Australia and finally, home to the UK for full restoration.

Flying Both Days

Joining the Manston International Airshow lineup, the Hispano HA-1112-M1L Buchon from the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar will be flying on both days! The Buchon is a Spanish license-built variant of the German Messerschmitt Bf 109 and was developed during and after the Second World War. Powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, this Buchon was famously cast as a Messerschmitt Bf 109 in the 1969 film Battle of Britain. This rare aircraft brings the familiar sound of the Rolls-Royce Merlin and it's unique silhouette to the skies. An unmistakable shape with a cinematic legacy, you won't want to miss this living piece of warbird history.

Flying Both Days

Another legend joins the flying lineup at Manston International Airshow, please welcome the Hawker Hurricane Mk.X from the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar. This beautiful example was built originally as a Mk.I by Canadian Car & Foundry in 1940, it was later converted to a Sea Hurricane Mk.X in 1942 before being written off in an accident that December. It wasn't until July 2000 that she would take to the skies once again and is now painted to represent Hurricane Mk.I P2921 ‘Blue Peter’ Flown by Pete Brothers of 32 Squadron, Biggin Hill during 1940.

Flying Both Days

We're delighted to confirm our third female in aviation to the line-up, Isabel Rutland and her stunning P-51D Mustang 'Marinell' Isabel took up flying after a career in the city. She flies many different types including the P-51 Mustang, the T-6 Texan and various models of the aerobatics aircraft the Pitts Special. Isabel is a professional display pilot and was the 2023 Standard National Aerobatics Champion and she was also the Tiger Trophy Champion for best aerobatic performance at all levels in the same year.

Flying Both Days

Proving that the mission is not impossible but hugely entertaining and spectacularly choreographed, the wing walking team from Aerosuperbatics, with their awesome 1940s Boeing Stearman biplanes are joining us for the weekend. Climbing out of the front cockpit and up on to the top wings during their display, these fearless female daredevils show that these stunts are not just limited to the movies.

Flying Both Days

We're thrilled to announce that the PBY-5A Catalina from Plane Sailing will be flying both days at the Manston International Airshow! Not only will you see this beautifully graceful aircraft display in the air on Saturday and Sunday but you will also be able to take the opportunity to have a guided tour inside the fuselage / hull of the Catalina (for a small donation), providing you and the younger ones with not only an invaluable insight into this amazing aircraft but also helping to keep her flying.

Flying Both Days

Welcoming to the display lineup the Jet Provost T5, the final development of the world’s first basic trainer to enter service. During the mid 1960s the RAF focused on high altitude training, the Mk5 met the brief powered by a more capable Rolls Royce Viper engine, which can produce 3000lbs of thrust, a pressurised cockpit and enhanced avionics. A staple of RAF fast jet training for over three decades, the Jet Provost will grace the skies with a smooth, elegant routine that celebrates the golden age of British jet aviation

Flying Both Days

On this day, the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe, we are pleased to announce the first of the civil registered piston engine warbirds that will be in attendance and displaying at the Manston International Airshow. 1944 Mk.IX Spitfire TA805 'Spirit of Kent'.

Flying Both Days

We’re proud to welcome our second female display pilot to Manston International Airshow: Melanie Astles from France flying her stunning Extra 330! Melanie is the current British Unlimited Aerobatics Champion and made history as the first female pilot in the Red Bull Air Race Challenger Class. Her high energy routine is packed with precision and passion, aiming to inspire the world one flight at a time

Flying Both Days

Joining us all the way from Norway, the Norwegian Historical Squadron will be displaying their beautiful example of the de Havilland Vampire FB.52. Manston is intertwined with the development of the Vampire. Used both for RAF training and operations from the airfield to the Middle East and Mediterranean, the Vampire was finally retired from operational use at Manston in 1959.

Flying Both Days

The ever popular Turbulent Display Team will be in action both days at Manston International Airshow! Flying their four classic D31 Turbulent aircraft with incredible precision and plenty of humour, the team's display features limbo flying, balloon popping, flour bombing and more!

Flying Both Days

We're excited to confirm that Brendan O'Brien and his world famous helicopter Otto will be displaying on both days at Manston International Airshow! Pilots of the Purple Twilight New for the 2025 season, Brendan brings a brand new twist to his legendary display: daytime pyrotechnics launched directly from the helicopter! It's a sight not to be missed

Flying Both Days

Rich Goodwin will be tearing up the skies on both days at the Manston International Airshow! With the world's only Jet Pitts, Rich delivers a high energy, gravity defying aerobatic routine which has to be seen and heard to be believed

Flying Both Days

We're delighted to be able to confirm that the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team will be joining us for the duration of the weekend. With meet and greet opportunities, it's the perfect chance to take inspiration from this incredible team.

Flying Both Days

Welcoming our first female in aviation. Lauren Wilson is a hugely accomplished commercial and aerobatic pilot and we look forward to welcoming her not only because of her impressive display routine but also as part of our 80th anniversary celebration of the Pitts Special design flying her Pitts S1S

Flying Both Days

FLYPAST ONLY - Bringing the noise, the incredibly dynamic Eurofighter Typhoon from the Royal Air Force will be making a flypast on both days of the show

Flying Both Days

FLYPAST ONLY - The mission of the RAF BBMF is to maintain the priceless artefacts of our national heritage in airworthy condition in order to commemorate those who have fallen in the service of this country.

Flying Both Days

A dynamic display of replica first world war aircraft in a safe, carefully choreographed low level dog fight routine that replicates how aircraft were flown during The Great War over the trenches of Northern France & Belgium. The realism will be heightened by the use of pyrotechnics to create a thrilling display.

Flying Both Days

Our first display announcement and a pilot and aircraft who are no strangers to Manston. The OV-10 Bronco from the Bronco Demo Team. The combination of Tony and this stunning aircraft is simply awesome and we are truly delighted to include them in our lineup