Shuttleworth will host its Summer Air Show on Saturday 25 July 2026, marking the 90th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire on 5 March 1936. The event aims to bring together one example of every airworthy mark of Spitfire in the UK, giving visitors the opportunity to see multiple variants of the aircraft in one place and marking the anniversary of its first flight and its role during the Second World War.
The success of the Spitfire would not have been possible without its designer and test pilots. To celebrate the Spitfire’s designer, RJ Mitchell, Shuttleworth will be flying its de Havilland DH.60X which is the same model which Mitchell flew in to understand how flying works.
Test pilot Alex Henshaw was known for his record-breaking flights pre-war and flight tested approximately 10% of all Spitfires and Seafires ever built. Shuttleworth owns the exact Percival Mew Gull which Henshaw broke the London to Cape Town record in, so will be flying this aircraft amongst other types he flew in his memory at this display.
James Butt, Air Displays and Aviation Coordinator at Shuttleworth, said, “Ninety years ago, the Spitfire took to the air for the first time before becoming influential in the course of WWII. Its design and performance were exceptional for its time and remain impressive even today. The fact that visitors are still excited to see and hear a Spitfire flying at our air shows is a powerful reminder of its enduring legacy, and we’re proud to help preserve this history for future generations.”
For more details on Shuttleworth’s air shows and how to book, visit: https://www.shuttleworth.org/events.
Image credits: Caroline Haycock
