Confirmed Aircraft for 2026
We are working hard to ensure a good range of flying and static aircraft that demonstrate our theme ‘The Age of Flight’. Aircraft will be added to this website when we have written confirmation of their attendance.
AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers
Flying Saturday & Sunday
We’re delighted that the world famous Aerosuperbatics WingWalkers will take part in this year’s Hampshire Air Festival. For over 40 years, AeroSuperBatics have captivated crowds across the world, flying in beautifully restored Boeing Stearman biplanes. Their professional wingwalkers climb onto the top wings and perform breathtaking acrobatics and handstands. All whilst the pilots fly a choreographed and energetic routine of dazzling aerobatics and close formation flypasts.
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota
Flying Saturday
In our third allocation from the Royal Air Force we have the Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Official) as part of our Saturday display. The Douglas C47 Dakota is one of the most successful military transport aircraft designs in history, and was widely used by the Allies during World War Two. The Flight’s Dakota ZA947, conducted paradropping operations on the eve of D-Day, plus missions to evacuate casualties and re-supply forces. The C47 is an absolute stalwart and still used today by many Air Forces around the world and commercially as cargo aircraft, particularly in South America and Africa. It will be fantastic to have the 'Dak' grace the skies over Hampshire and again, we are hugely grateful to the RAF for their support.
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfires
Flying Sunday
Following on from Tutor Display, the Royal Air Force has allocated us more aircraft! This time is it two Spitfires from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Official) which will take part on the Sunday of Hampshire Air Festival. This year we are commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the Spitfire as part of our 'Age of Flight' theme. We now have three Spitfires as part of our display on Sunday 13th September with the already announced RR232 - Spirit of Exeter. More Spitfires were built than any other British combat aircraft before or since World War Two with 20,341 in total. There are five Spitfires on the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and we will find out which ones will be appearing at our airshow nearer the time.
RAF Grob Tutor
Flying Saturday & Sunday
The Grob 115E Tutor is the cornerstone of Royal Air Force flying training, introducing future generations of RAF pilots to flight. Light, agile, and purpose-built for aerobatic excellence, the Tutor showcases the skill, control, and professionalism that define RAF training today. Flown by Flight Lieutenant Rich Tomala of 6 Flying Training School, this year’s display promises a combination of elegance and agility.
The Global Stars Pyro Display
Flying Saturday
As well as performing on Saturday and Sunday during the day, The Global Stars will also be appearing on Saturday evening as part of our extravaganza joining the Firebirds, Drone Swarm, a light show and firework display.
The Global Stars
Flying Saturday & Sunday
Get ready for the internationally acclaimed Global Stars Aerobatic Team who are joining us as a three ship for Hampshire Air Festival 2026! Performing not TWO but THREE displays in their distinctive star-spangled aircraft. This world-class team brings precision aerobatics, dynamic formation sequences, and stunning solo breaks, combining technical mastery with pure spectacle.They will also be part of our Saturday evening extravaganza with their dusk show lighting up the sky with pyrotechnics! Created and led by British aerobatic champion Mark Jefferies, the Global Stars have wowed audiences around the world but rarely seen in the UK.
BAC Strikemaster Pair
Flying Saturday & Sunday
We’re excited to confirm that the Strikemaster Pair will be joining us on both 12 and 13 September, bringing jet power to our Age of Flight theme. These BAC Strikemasters are developed from the RAF’s Jet Provost T Mk5A – the jet that trained generations of military pilots before being adapted into a light attack aircraft used by air forces around the world. The Strikemaster Pair’s display features a carefully choreographed sequence of manoeuvres designed to show off the jet’s speed, power and precision. From close-formation aerobatics to breath-taking opposition manoeuvres that really underline their agility, and the skill of the pilots.
The Gazelle Squadron Display Team
Flying Saturday & Sunday
We’re delighted to confirm that The Gazelle Squadron Display Team will be part of our flying display this year. Operating former British military Westland Gazelle helicopters in authentic Army Air Corps, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Royal Marines schemes, this team brings a fast, agile and very distinctive routine to Hampshire Air Festival.
The Firebirds
Flying Saturday & Sunday
(Pyro Display On Saturday evening ONLY, non pyro display on Sunday) Firebirds Aerobatic Display Team are confirmed for Hampshire Air Festival. This UK civilian aerobatic team flies two Van’s RV-4s combining close-formation aerobatics, opposition passes and solo manoeuvres. The Firebirds have become a favourite across UK and European airshows for their graceful daytime and twilight displays with LEDs and pyrotechnics.
XtremeAir XA-41 - Steven Bakhtiari
Flying Saturday & Sunday
We are delighted to welcome Steven Bakhtiari, one of Britain’s leading aerobatic pilots, to our line-up. He will display in his XtremeAir XA-41, a carbon-fibre monoplane capable of stunning unlimited-level manoeuvres. Steven’s passion for aviation began early, growing up in a working-class home in Manchester with a lifelong dream of flying and a deep fascination with aircraft, fuelled in no small part by watching Top Gun far too many times as a young child. Steven is a three-time British National Champion in the Advanced category, claiming the title in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and represented Team Great Britain at the Advanced World Aerobatic Championships in September 2025.
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX
Flying Saturday & Sunday
We’re delighted to announce that the legendary Supermarine Spitfire ‘City of Exeter’ will be flying at this year’s Hampshire Air Festival in a tribute to this iconic aircraft as it celebrates its 90th Anniversary in 2026. Built in 1944, this elegant Mk IX Spitfire served with the RAF and later the South African Air Force, before being rediscovered and lovingly rebuilt by Martin Phillips over a 13-year restoration, a story of dedication to aviation heritage.
Yakovlev Yak-3U-PW
Flying Saturday & Sunday
Our next addition to the Hampshire Air Festival 2026 flying display is Bob Davy’s Yak-3. A powerful Yak-3UTI replica that channels the spirit of the legendary Eastern Front fighter. Built in Romania and powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp of around 1,200 hp, this fast, agile machine excels in low-level manoeuvres that show exactly why the original Yak-3 earned such a fearsome reputation. With its striking Ukrainian-support scheme and modern radial engine, Bob’s Yak blends historic inspiration with contemporary engineering, capturing a different chapter in the Age of Flight story you will see unfold at Thruxton Aerodrome.
Great War Display Team
Flying Saturday & Sunday
For our third confirmation we go back to the beginning of the 'Age of Flight' with our first historic participant, the acclaimed The Great War Display Team. They will be bringing to life the pioneering days of aviation at the Hampshire Air Festival 2026. Flying meticulously crafted replicas of the First World War’s most recognisable aircraft the team recreates the drama and daring of early aerial combat.
Rich Goodwin Jet Pitts
Flying Saturday & Sunday
This aircraft is a true original: based on the classic Pitts S 2S biplane, G-JPIT has been completely re engineered to combine traditional aerobatic performance with the thrust of twin jet engines. The Jet Pitts perfectly captures the spirit of the Age of Flight, uniting the pioneering craftsmanship of early biplanes with the cutting edge technology and hybrid power systems that define modern aviation progress.
Drone Display
Flying Saturday
We’re delighted to announce the very first display confirmation for the Hampshire Air Festival 2026. Leading aerial innovators Drone Swarm will feature in the festival’s Saturday night display with their extraordinary drone light show. Featuring a fleet of synchronised drones weaving motion and colour into a captivating story told across the night sky.
All aircraft and displays are subject to availability, weather conditions and operational requirements.