In pictures: IWM Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show pays tribute to the Queen

Tributes were paid to the Queen at this year’s Battle of Britain Air Show, including a two-minute silence before flying commenced.

The annual event at the historic IWM Duxford – one of the airfields that made history during World War II – was held at the weekend (September 10-11).

The programme was changed to commemorate the death of the Queen and – unlike the first air show of the season in June – the weather did not affect the flying this time.

As ever, re-enactors immersed themselves in the summer of 1940 when the Spitfire and Hurricane ruled the skies and ‘the Few’ brought hope during one of the UK’s darkest hours.

The late Queen Elizabeth II actively served during World War II, of course, joining the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) and training as a driver and mechanic with the rank of Second Subaltern. Her Majesty was later promoted to junior commander, which was the equivalent of captain.

[Read more: In pictures: Flying high at IWM Duxford as air show returns]

IWM Air Show event manager Phil Hood said: “Our Battle of Britain Air Show took on a much more commemorative and reflective tone this year given the tragic passing of Her Majesty the Queen.

“We enacted a few changes to our flying programme in order to honour and pay our respects to her lifetime of service and 70-year reign, including an extremely moving display by the NHS Spitfire.

“The flypast finale, comprising 16 Spitfires and four Hurricanes, was also a fantastic spectacle over the airfield and felt even more poignant in light of recent news.”

For more on events at Duxford, visit iwm.org.uk/visits/iwmduxford.