The skies above Headcorn Aerodrome will be filled with the spectacular sights and sounds of wartime as the Battle of Britain Air Show comes into view.

This year the historic aircraft on show will include five Spitfires, five Hurricanes, two C-47s as well as a first ever appearance by a B-17.

The show is special as there’s the chance for visitors to get up close to the planes that are flown by the world’s most experienced Spitfire pilots.

Organisers Aero Legends are also laying on a fun fair and plenty of family-friendly fun, as well as opportunities for visitors to fly in the aircraft on the day.

“This is the biggest air show in Kent in terms of the number of planes taking part but it’s also a family event and not simply a diehard aviation show,” said managing director Ben Perkins.

Pilots from the company take to the skies in the D-Day commemorations over Normandy and the Arnhem commemorations in Holland.

They also participate in some major air shows around the country, as well as performing the spectacular Spitfire flypast each year at the Leeds Castle Classical Concert, which this year is on Saturday, July 13.

“But the most special show is the Battle of Britain Air Show because it’s our own major air show," he said.

This year’s event will be the fourth for the company and the biggest yet.

Last year’s show saw a capacity-crowd and organisers expect a similar turnout.

The eight air displays range from round-top parachute drops to breathtaking warbird formations consisting of the Spitfires and Hurricanes.

There will also be two enclosures for extra special viewing - perfect for spectators to sit back and enjoy the show.

Aero Legends started out with the aim of making Second World War aircraft more accessible with experiences including a Tiger Moth, Harvard and Spitfire. But these days they have some 30,000 people a year getting a taste of their aircraft, whether it is at the air show, or by taking a passenger flight or a parachute jump.

COMING SOON

The Battle of Britain Air Show is one of a trio of big events flying in to Headcorn Aerodrome this summer.

The next is the Combined Ops Military and Air Show on Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11. Combined Ops features a variety of vintage and modern aircraft displays, on the ground and in the air. Aircraft that were at last year’s event include two C47 Dakotas, two Spitfires and a Chinook and Lancaster Bomber.

The family event also has living history re-enactment groups, arena events, military stalls, children’s entertainment and plenty of food and drink to choose from.

The last big event of the summer is the Southern Model Show on Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8. Held in association with the Maidstone Model Flying Club, the show has a vast array of model aircraft, helicopters, ships, tanks and other vehicles.

To book for any of the events, you can visit headcornevents.co.uk or call 0845 652 6263.

Read more: All the latest events across Kent