The Imperial War Museum Duxford will explore two of the major aerial campaigns of World War II in a new exhibition.

'Scramble! The Summer of 1940' shines a spotlight on the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain through the aircraft and aircrew who fought the Luftwaffe for control of the skies.

The exhibition is open from December 27 this year to February 23, 2025, and follows the success of previous exhibitions 'Spitfire: Evolution of an Icon', 'Hurricane: Unsung Hero' and 'Spies in the Skies: Second World War Aerial Reconnaissance'.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk I N3200, which was shot down and crash landed on a beach at Sangatte while supporting the Dunkirk evacuationsSupermarine Spitfire Mk I N3200, which was shot down and crash landed on a beach at Sangatte while supporting the Dunkirk evacuations (Image: IWM) Visitors will be able to get up close to an array of historic aircraft, including the Supermarine Spitfire Mk I N3200, which was shot down while supporting British forces retreating towards Dunkirk - leaving Squadron Leader Geoffrey Stephenson to be taken prisoner.

His Spitfire sank under French sands, and was recovered in the 1980s and restored to flying condition.

Alongside the N3200 Spitfire will be Spitfire Mk Ia X4650, which was featured in the film Dunkirk, the Hawker Hurricane Mk1 R4118 and the Hawker Hurricane Mk I P2902 which took part in real evacuation before being shot down in May 1940.

Hurricane Mk I P2902, a veteran of the Battle of FranceHurricane Mk I P2902, a veteran of the Battle of France (Image: IWM) The exhibition will also feature a Curtiss Hawk-75, the only airworthy survivor of the French Air Force to fly in the Battle of France, a Bristol Blenheim Mk 1 - which fought at night in the Battle of Britain - and the Hispano Buchon, which appeared in the 1969 film Battle of Britain.

Visitors can also see the MG TA vehicle which belonged to famous flying ace and RAF Duxford 'Big Wing' leader Douglas Bader.

Liam Shaw, visitor experience and project manager at IWM Duxford, said: "We are thrilled to be back this winter with a new spotlight exhibition which will give visitors a deeper understanding of two major Second World War campaigns with a close historic association to Duxford.

"Through this exhibition, we hope to show visitors how behind each aircraft on display, there is a deeply human story of survival as the looming threat of being shot down, wounded or killed permeated throughout the summer of 1940."