An Autumn spectacular celebrated 40 years of air shows at Duxford IWM in grand style.

Cambs Times: Crowds enjoy the flying extravaganzaCrowds enjoy the flying extravaganza (Image: Archant)

Thousands of visitors turned out to join in the celebrations and were rewarded with a packed flying programme with a wide variety of aircraft displays.

Cambs Times: Flying spectacle at DuxfordFlying spectacle at Duxford (Image: Archant)

Opening the flying display was B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B, which has been resident at Duxford since 1975, longer than any other airworthy historic aircraft.

Cambs Times: Flying spectacle at DuxfordFlying spectacle at Duxford (Image: Archant)

It was followed by the Westland Lynx helicopter from 702 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton.

Cambs Times: 40 years of celebrations at IWM Duxford40 years of celebrations at IWM Duxford (Image: Archant)

A four-ship of elegant aircraft saw David and Mark Millers’ de Havilland Dragon Rapide take to the skies alongside the de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver from Aircraft Restoration Company, the Beech Model 17 Staggerwing from The Fighter Collection, and the Boeing PT-17 Stearman from Golden Apple Operations Limited.

Also in the show was The Fighter Collection, the Catalina and the RAF in the Shorts Tucano from 72 (R ) Squadron, RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

This rip-roaring display was followed by a selection of lighter aircraft, featuring the Piper L-4 Cub from Frazerblades, the Auster 5J1 Autocrat from D & M Miller, the DHC Chipmunk T Mk 10 from Aircraft Restoration Company and the balletic LeVier Cosmic Wind from Pete Kynsey and Anna Walker.

In scenes reminiscent of the Battle of Britain film which was filmed at Duxford in 1968, two Hispano Ha-112 Buchons took to the skies next, followed by historic US trainer aircraft in the form of a pair of North American T-28 Fennecs from Radial Revelations and Group Fennec respectively and a pair of North American Havard aircraft from The Fighter Collection and Aircraft Restoration Company.

The Army Air Corps flew the AugustaWestland Apache AH Mark I helicopter from 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, Wattisham Airfield.

An exciting display by the vibrant Hawker Hunter Miss Demeanour was followed by the aerobatic talents of The Red Bull Matadors in their Xtreme XA41 aircraft.

The show concluded with the sight of Supermarine Spitfires and a Hawker Hurricane over Duxford’s historic airfield.

A spokesman said: “It was a fitting end to IWM Duxford’s 2013 air show season and a fantastic celebration of 40 years of air shows at IWM!”