Flights from £449

Fly in the Dragon Rapide, wing to wing with the iconic Spitfire one of the most famous aircraft in the world.

All the action takes place at IWM Duxford, Europe’s premier aviation museum, an important fighter base for the RAF, and home of the first Spitfire.

Spend the day immersed in the nostalgia of WWII and the Battle of Britain, surrounded by flying legends of the Second World War.
All the aircraft we fly on these events are genuine Second World War aircraft that would have participated in some way, either as fighters or trainers.

Buy your flight now

Choose from 3 exciting packages

  • Welcome to Duxford by Classic Wings staff
  • Gift Presentation Pack
  • A flight in the Dragon Rapide with the Spitfire flying in close formation for part of the flight
  • A great day out at IWM Duxford, with free entry for the voucher holder and half price entry for accompanying spectators

Squadron Leader – Our  basic flight package

Price per person – £449

Flight duration : approx 30 minutes
Allow approx three hours for this experience

  • 30 minute flight in the 1940s de Havilland Dragon Rapide
  • A breathtaking flight in close formation, wing to wing with the Spitfire as she cruises alongside the Rapide
  • Professional photo of you beside the Spitfire
  • Stay the day to view IWM Duxford’s historic and rare aviation collection

Guests gather at the Classic Wings Booking Office on the flightline. Duxford is a live, working airfield so you never know what you might see flying on the day.

Highlight of the day is your 30 minute flight in the de Havilland Dragon Rapide, during which you will fly wing to wing with the Spitfire as she flies alongside in close formation with you, giving you the chance for some stunning air-to-air photography. You’ll even be close enough to wave to the pilot!

The Rapide is a fitting aircraft from which to see the Spitfire, being an aircraft used extensively the Second World War and renowned for her grace and reliability. Every seat has a window guaranteeing you suberb views of the Spitfire

After your flight, collect the photo of you taken beside the Spitfire.

Wing Commander – lots of additional extras

Flights for Individuals – £599

Flight duration : approx 40 minutes
Allow four hours for this experience.

UPGRADE to the Wing Commander Package to enjoy everything in the Squadron Leader Package PLUS the additional benefits of:

  • A 40 minute flight in the Rapide taking in the City of Cambridge
  • A celebratory glass of champagne
  • A ground viewing of the Spitfire for a close-up view of this iconic aircraft giving you the opportunity to walk round and photograph every aspect of the aircraft
  • Meet the pilot – find out more about these historic aircraft and the skills required to fly them
  • Lunch in the ‘Workshop’ restaurant

Guests gather at the Classic Wings Booking Office located on the flightline from where you can see all aircraft taking off and landing at Duxford.

Pose next to the Spitfire for a professional photo

Highlight of the day is your 40 minute flight in the de Havilland Dragon Rapide, during which you will fly wing to wing with the Spitfire as she cruises alongside and flies in close formation with you, displaying on both sides of the aircraft. You will fly gently over the historical City of Cambridge and surrounding countryside in the Dragon Rapide until a roar of the Merlin engine heralds the arrival of the iconic warbird beside you – a magical moment!

Every seat in the Rapide has a window, giving you the chance for some stunning air-to-air photography as you cruise over the Cambridgeshire countryside, dotted with ex RAF wartime bases.

The Rapide is a fitting aircraft from which to see the Spitfire as she flies alongside, being an aircraft used extensively in the Second World War and renowned for her grace and reliability.

After your flight, meet back at the Classic Wings office  for a celebratory glass of champagne and collect your photo.

You’ve seen the Spitfire in the air and now is the chance for a ground viewing and close-up view of both aircraft, giving you the rare opportunity to walk round and photograph every aspect of the aircraft.

You will meet the Spitfire pilot who will talk to you about these historic aircraft and what it takes to fly them. Find out first hand how exciting it is to be at the controls of Britain’s most well known aircraft.

Finally, enjoy a private guided tour of one of Duxford’s exhibition hangars

Lunch at ‘The Workshop’ restaurant is included in your package and friends and family can join you if they wish to buy lunch.

Stay the day to view IWM Duxford’s historic and rare aviation collection covering over 85 acres – 7 impressive hangars filled with extraordinary aircraft, interactive exhibitions, conservations hangars, and excellent facilities.

Air Commodore – a full day experience to include a flight in the Tiger Moth

Price per person – £789

Flight duration : approx 40 mins in the Rapide,
20 mins in the Tiger Moth
Allow a full day for this very special experience

UPGRADE to the Air Commodore Package to enjoy everything in the Wing Commander Package PLUS the additional benefits of:

  • A flight in the Tiger Moth, the RAF’s training aircraft for Spitfire pilots Don the leather helmet, jacket and goggles and on this flight you get to take the controls!
  • An additional photograph of you in the Tiger Moth
  • Video of your flight in the Tiger Moth
  • Log Book style record of your flight
  • An informal viewing of  one of Duxford’s exhibition hangars

Guests gather at the Classic Wings Booking Office on the flightline of Duxford’s runway. This area has superb views over the airfield and runway, and is a great place to watch as aircraft take off and land.

Highlight of the day is your 40 minute flight in the de Havilland Dragon Rapide, during which you will fly wing to wing with the Spitfire as she cruises alongside and flies in close formation with you, displaying on both sides of the aircraft. You will fly gently over the Cambridgeshire countryside in the Dragon Rapide until a roar of the Merlin engine heralds the arrival of the iconic warbird beside you – a magical moment!

Every seat in the Rapide has a window, giving you the chance for some stunning air-to-air photography as you cruise over the Cambridgeshire countryside, dotted with ex RAF wartime bases.

The Rapide is a fitting aircraft from which to see the Spitfire as she flies alongside, being an aircraft used extensively in the Second World War and renowned for her grace and reliability.

Having seen the Spitfire in action in the air, you now have the opportunity to see the aircraft up close and personal during a ground viewing and walk around of both the Spitfire and the Rapide. Take photographs, examine the cockpit, look at the instruments and ask any questions you like.

Both pilots will meet with you to talk about these historic aircraft and what it takes to fly them. Find out first hand how exciting it is to be at the controls of Britain’s most well- known aircraft.

Relax at ‘The Workshop’ restaurant for lunch. Friends and family are welcome to join you if they wish to buy their own lunch.

Time for your second flight – and this time you will be in the front seat. After a briefing from your instructor you will fly in a Tiger Moth, the RAF’s training aircraft for Spitfire pilots. Don the leather jacket helmet and goggles and imagine yourself as a wartime pilot getting your first taste of flying. On this 20 minute flight you get to take the controls!

Take home a Video of your Tiger Moth flight

Pose for a photo seated in the Tiger Moth, ready for action.

Your instructor will give you a Pilot’s Log Book style record of your flight

Finally, it’s back to the Flight Line for a celebratory glass of champagne, where the pilots will sign your certificate if you wish, and you can collect the photo of you taken beside the Spitfire, plus your photo of you seated in the Tiger Moth, ready for action in helmet, jacket and goggles.

If there’s any time left after all that, you are free to explore IWM Duxford’s historic and rare aviation collection covering over 85 acres – 7 impressive hangars filled with extraordinary aircraft, interactive exhibitions, conservations hangars, and land warfare collections.

Tigermoth close proximity

Availability
Dates are limited and the experience usually takes place on alternate weekends from March to October.

Spectator Information
Please note spectators must enter the Imperial War Museum to watch the activities, but will receive a 50% discount on the usual entrance fee.

Restrictions
Max weight: 18stone. Min age: 14 Max age: none. Passengers must be able to climb up 3 steps to get into the Rapide and  (for the Air Commodore package only)  must be able to step onto the wing to climb into the cockpit of the Tiger  Moth.

Clothing Required
Wear comfortable clothes and flat shoes.

Weather Restrictions
All flights are weather dependent and therefore subject to suitable flying conditions. If a flight has to be cancelled it will be rebooked for an alternative date, which must be within 12 months of the cancellation date.

Other Information
Vouchers are strictly non-refundable unless returned within 14 days of purchase.

The Aircraft
The Spitfire used on the day may not necessarily be that pictured in our promotional material

ALL BOOKINGS ARE CONFIRMED INSTANTLY BY EMAIL.
Please contact us if you do not receive your confirmation email immediately after booking.

Testimonials

Classic Wings Testimonial

The appearance of MH434 off the port wing was just ‘one of those moments in life’ never to be forgotten – truly magical.

Classic Wings Testimonial

What can I say, I am still smiling from the experience, flying next to a spitfire at 2000 feet is difficult to put into words, a truly unbelievable time

Classic Wings Testimonial

I must thank you for a truly wonderful day on 25 June when flying alongside the Spitfire in the Dragon Rapide and and then to have a flight in the Tiger Moth. The personnel who looked after us couldn’t have been more friendly, helpful and attentive. The whole experience exceeded all my expectations and the photographs which I took will remind me of a fantastic day for the rest for the rest of my life.

Classic Wings Testimonial

The ‘Wing-to-wing’ experience I had last Saturday was truly memorable. It was made extra special by everybody at Classic Wings doing their best to make it so. Firstly what can I say about the flight with the Spitfire – just WOW. Loved every minute.

Classic Wings Testimonial

Today we were able to see the most beautiful aircraft ever to fly, up close in the air. The tears flowed, the smile on my wife’s face will remain with me forever!

Spitfire Mark 1a N3200

A short history by Chris Scholfield of Classic Wings

When the wreckage of a Spitfire emerged from the sands of a beach near Sangatte in September 1986, it was the start of a remarkable story of research and restoration. The aircraft had crash landed after being downed by a bullet through the radiator which caused the engine to seize. Subsequent investigation showed that it was a Spitfire 1a being flown by 19 Squadron’s C.O, Squadron Leader Geoffrey Stephenson. Stephenson was later captured and after a series of escape attempts he was sent to Colditz Castle to join G/C Douglas Bader, a former Cranwell classmate. Postwar he rose to the rank of Air Commodore but was sadly killed testing an early F-100 Super Sabre in the USA..

Research has shown that N3200 was built at Supermarine’s Woolston works, which were later heavily damaged by the Luftwaffe. After passing through 8MU, it arrived at Duxford to join 19 Squadron on April 19 1940. It carried the squadron code “QV” but didn’t have an individual letter. As noted above it failed to return from operations on May 27 1940.

After rescue from the beach the remains were exhibited in the V3 museum until they came to the notice of entrepreneur and philanthropist Thomas Kaplan and his colleague Simon Marsh. Eventually it was sent to the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford for a complete and exacting restoration. The brief was specific in that all the spares were to be from 1940 and the aircraft was to be restored to its’ original state. To give an idea of the complexity of this task 85% of the 30,000 parts needed to be replaced. Particular problems included the tyres, which had to be specially moulded by Dunlop and the propellers which had to be made from scratch. Even the guns and ammunition are from 1940 which illustrates the depth of the restoration.

After four years of intensive work N3200 flew again at Duxford on 26th March 2014 carrying it’s original markings. Shortly afterwards Thomas Kaplan donated the aircraft to the Imperial War Museum for posterity. This amazing gift was well rewarded as the similar restoration of Spitfire 1 P9374 achieved £3.1 million pounds at Christie’s auction in July 2015. So if you want a Spitfire it will have to be at least two tickets in the Lottery this weekend.

N3200 lying on the beach at Sangatte
N3200 lying on the beach at Sangatte with German troops around it.