Sunday 30th August 2026
Fenland Airfield, Spalding
One of the aircraft that could fly past Wings & Wheels on Sunday 30th August 2026
The C-47 Dakota — the military version of the DC-3 airliner — served in every theatre of the Second World War, from dropping paratroopers on D-Day and at Arnhem to supplying the "forgotten war" in Burma. Nearly 2,000 flew with the RAF, equipping 22 squadrons. The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) is supporting Wings & Wheels with a fly-past, and with the Dakota operating for the 2026 season, it could be the aircraft we see over Fenland Airfield — the RAF confirms which aircraft is flying closer to the event.
The BBMF maintains eleven historic aircraft in airworthy condition as a "museum without walls" — a living tribute to all those who have lost their lives serving with the RAF. Its motto: Lest We Forget.
ZA947 was built by Douglas at Long Beach, California, and delivered in September 1943, serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force through the war and afterwards supporting Canadian forces in Europe until 1969. After two decades of research flying in the UK, she was adopted by the RAF and joined the BBMF in March 1993. She is the last Dakota serving with the Royal Air Force.
ZA947 wears the markings of a 31 Squadron Dakota that flew over India and Burma in 1943–44 — an aircraft that once landed on a short jungle strip deep in Japanese-occupied territory to rescue wounded Chindit soldiers. Her pale-blue South East Asia Command roundels commemorate all who served in the Far East campaign.
The BBMF's Dakota and Lancaster are flown by pilots with backgrounds on the RAF's heavy, multi-engine aircraft — including the Hercules, Globemaster and A400M.
The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is supporting Wings & Wheels on Sunday 30th August 2026 with a fly-past. Which aircraft takes part — Spitfire, Hurricane or Dakota — and the exact timing are confirmed by the RAF a couple of days before the event, and we'll share the details as soon as we know.
Fly-pasts are subject to weather and aircraft serviceability, and may be cancelled at short notice.
Ticket InformationThe most famous fighter of them all — the BBMF flies five, including the only airworthy Spitfire to have fought in the Battle of Britain.
About the SpitfireThe workhorse of the Battle of Britain. The BBMF's pair includes the very last Hurricane ever built, 'The Last of the Many'.
About the Hurricane