THE air show season is set to take off in Abingdon.

The 13th annual Abingdon Air & Country Show will take place on Sunday, May 6, at the Dalton Barracks airfield.

The charity event is one of the first big airshows of the year.

Flying displays will include appearances from a 1930s Miles Whitney Straight, a 1940s Hurricane, a Mustang, and a Spitfire.

There will also be aerobatics from the Pitts Special Trig Team and displays from the modern-day Royal Air Force planes, including the Tutor, Tucano, Hawk, and King Air.

There will be a small static aircraft area with about 50 aircraft, including a RAF Benson-based Merlin helicopter.

Profits will again be donated to Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust after £8,075 was donated to the charity last year.

Organiser Colin Smith said: “It is about the first airshow of the season.

“It gives the enthusiasts something to look forward to, and it is a great all round day out with something for everybody.”

Fellow organiser Neil Porter added: “We have been overwhelmed at the interest in our show. This year the show has gone back to its traditional early May Bank Holiday slot, which in many exhibitors and aircrews’ eyes, is the main opening show of the 2012 airshow season.

“We are hoping a combined mix of both a good turnout and good weather can generate a figure for the Air Ambulance Trust that equals at least the 2011 donation.”

There will also be entertainment from rock guitarist Rick Chase, Abbey Brass Band and the Oxford Harmony A Capella group.

There will also be arena displays, vintage vehicles, craft and trade stalls, and tank rides.

The show has raised £23,075 for the Air Ambulance since 2007.

It also raised £14,000 from 2001 to 2006 for Oxford hospice Helen & Douglas House.

Advance tickets can be bought at local tourist information centres and online at abingdonfayre.com On the day prices will be adults £15, senior citizens £10, children under 15 £5, and under 5s free.