This year the Abingdon Air & Country Show held at Abingdon Airfield, Dalton Barracks, Oxon. returns to a May slot, being held on Saturday 20th May. After the very sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II two days before last year’s show and the subsequent cancellation of the 2022 event, we are ready to go in 2023!
This year’s three-hour Flying Display is set to include, from WWII; the BBMF Lancaster, doing three passes, 80 years almost to the day since the Dambusters Raid, a Hawker Hurricane Mk I, not one but two P51 Mustangs ‘Miss Helen’ and ‘Contrary Mary’, a PBY-5A Catalina ‘Miss Pick Up’ and a late edition Yak-3UPW. From the not-too-distant past we have the return of the Rockwell OV10 Bronco from Belgium and, from the current RAF inventory, we have flypasts from a C17 Globemaster. We will also have aerobatics from a Pitts Special and the exciting Titan Display Team. On the ground, amongst up to 50 others, will be a Tutor from RAF Benson and hopefully a C130J Hercules, possibly one of the last chances to see this aircraft before it is retired by the RAF in June 2023. Again, helicopters will abound, both flying and on static, including a Gazelle 4-Ship, Wasps, a Scout, a Sioux, a couple of Sud Alouettes and an ex-Army Lynx, now in private ownership at North Weald Aerodrome in Essex, one of only two still flying and giving one of its earliest performances. The ever-popular Classic Jets radio-controlled models will give one display before the main flying begins.
Ground attractions will include; the Solent Stars Motorcycle Display Team; Arena Demonstrations of Falconry, The Oxford Caledonian Pipes and Drums and of course the Stars; a Craft Marquee; Live Music; a Red Arrows simulator and a Spitfire simulator from 322 Sqn Royal Netherlands Air Force – a must see and have a go!; Re-enactors; Oxford Wildlife Rescue Owls; miniature Steam Engines; Classic and ex-Military vehicles of all types and sizes; upwards of 75 Trade Stalls; Rescue Husky Dogs; Amusements including Bouncy Castles of all sizes; Military Careers units; aircraft cockpits (the kids can sit in) and much more including food, drink and ice cream outlets.
Tickets are now available online at www.abingdonairandcountry.co.uk, please note there are no retail sales outlets this year. Car Parks, open at 7:30am, entry into the showground is from 10:00am.
