Held on the 16th & 17th August 10am to 5pm daily.
The RAF Harrowbeer 1940s Weekend is organised by the RAF Harrowbeer Interest Group, with support from the Military Vehicle Trust (Devon MVE) and the WWII Re-Enactment South-West Group. We are also grateful for the help from Yelverton Rotary who run our car parking and to all our sponsors and to the Tamar Valley MG Owners Club for running the Classic Car Show at our event.
Our August event is completely free for everyone to attend but we still need financial support.
Please visit our ‘donations’ page for how you can help. Thank you for your support, and especially to those who have already made donations.
To make a donation: http://www.rafharrowbeer1940s.com/sponsorship-donations/
If you are on Facebook, you can also visit our dedicated page for the event, alongside our usual RAF Harrowbeer page.
We have an open invitation for WWII re-enactors, history groups, military, vintage and classic vehicle owners to attend our 1940s Weekends. Entry to all is free. Vintage based trade stalls are also invited to attend.
For all general enquiries, please email: info@rafharrowbeer1940s.co.uk
NOTE: This email link isn’t active to stop spambots. You will need to copy and paste it into your email app.
Our Classic Car Show is being organised this year by the Tamar Valley MG Owners Club, who will be dealing with the entries for the Classic Car Show. Entries for the car show are now closed.
The Military Vehicles will be marshalled by the Devon MVE (MVT). If you have a Military Vehicle and want to enter it for the 1940s Weekend then please use the online form – Military Vehicle Entry Form
If you are a Re-enactor, part of a Re-enactor/Living History Group or have a Trade/Charity Stall you wish to bring please complete the online form: Entry Form (NB if your current insurance doesn’t cover August don’t panic, just use your present one).
There are no pitch fees for traders but we do expect a donation (in advance) to secure your place at the event.
The RAF Harrowbeer 1940s Weekend commemorates the WWII Airfield that was built on moorland near Yelverton, Devon. At our Remembrance Service, we especially honour the memory of the 72 personnel who lost their lives whilst serving on or from the airfield. Aircrew from many nations flew from Harrowbeer during WWII. As 2025 is the 80th Anniversary of both VE & VJ Day, we will be commemorating both milestones during our 2025 1940s Weekend.
News for 2025: The 1943 ‘Merlin’ engine (from an Avro Lancaster) which visited us last year is coming back again. Once again there will be plenty of opportunity to get up close and ask questions in between runs.
We had planned to have the two aircraft engines from Historic Aero Engines again this year, but the ‘Cheetah’ engine (from an Avro Anson) which visited for the first time in 2023 suffered a major breakdown and is thus, unavailable. This was sad news to hear as the Cheetah had proved very popular with visitors. We all wish Mike (the owner) all the best in getting the engine running again.
News for 2025: We have a bigger marquee this year, with a bigger dance floor. So if you love dancing to 1940s music, then do come along and join in. Buckland Monachorum Drama Group will be running the ‘NAAFI’ stall selling tea and coffee in the marquee.
News: As usual, we applied for a Flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for our event. We have sadly heard that our application has not been successful.
Please keep checking this page for further information on our 2025 1940s Weekend.
Updated 8th August 2025.
Sponsors
If you would like to sponsor our event in future, please see the ‘Donations’ page for details on how to help.
Sponsors (so far) for 2025 are:
Paladin Advocates
Willy’s Ice Cream
Meridian Sea
Westcountry Financial
Saturday 16th Events
All times are subject to change.
11am Service of Remembrance
A short Service of Remembrance in front of the Airfield Trust Memorial Stone by Knightstone Tea Rooms, to remember the 72 service personnel who lost their lives whilst serving at RAF Harrowbeer and to commemorate VE Day & VJ Day.
Regular runs of the Merlin engine: 10.30; 11.50; 13.30; 15.00; 16.40.
1940s Music from Bern Stewart and Fine Whines. (sets throughout the day) Additional period music from Dave Dawes and the 1940sradio Road Show, (www.1940sradio.com).
Vintage bus rides on a vintage double-decker bus (provided by the South Devon Railway).
WWII weapons display (approx 2.30pm).
Family Dog Show (organised by Gables Dogs & Cats Home) from 3pm.
Vintage Steam Engine rides with the Robey Trust.
Military vehicles, living history displays, classic cars.
Face Painting with ‘Changing Faces’
Vintage children’s funfair ride.
Plym Valley Railway miniature railway. (TBC)
Various trade stalls selling vintage clothing, Bric-a-Brac, militaria etc.
Saturday only @ approx 4pm: A convoy of military vehicles will leave the airfield and drive to Tavistock & back (possibly via Horrabridge on the return leg).
Sunday 17th Events
All times are subject to change.
Regular runs of the Rolls Royce Merlin engine: 10.30; 11.50; 13.30; 15.00; 16.40.
1940s Music from Bern Stewart and Fine Whines. (sets throughout the day) Additional period music from Dave Dawes and the 1940sradio Road Show, (www.1940sradio.com).
Vintage bus rides on a vintage double-decker bus (provided by the South Devon Railway).
WWII weapons display at approx 2.30pm.
Family Dog Show (organised by Gables Dogs & Cats Home) at 3pm.
Vintage Steam Engine rides with the Robey Trust.
Military vehicles, living history displays, classic cars.
Face Painting with ‘Changing Faces’
Vintage children’s funfair ride.
Plym Valley Railway miniature railway.
Various trade stalls selling vintage clothing, Bric-a-Brac, militaria etc.
Food & refreshments
Andy’s Munchbox (burgers, etc). (TBC)
Dartmoor Bars Ltd.
Blue Skies Catering (sandwiches, jacket potatoes). (TBC)
Hungry Hog (hog roast).
NAAFI tent for tea & coffee (run by Buckland Monachorum Drama Group – all monies raised go to event funds).
Retromix Sweet Stall.
Ice Cream supplied by Willy’s Ice Cream of Tavistock.
Living History Displays
Living history displays from various re-enactor groups. Including British, American, Russian and German units.
Military Vehicles
Displays of military vehicles.
Classic Vehicles
Displays of classic cars, motorbikes etc, organised by the Tamar Valley MG Club
Trade Stalls and other attractions
A selection of stalls selling vintage items and bric-a-brac. Displays/stalls for charities and veteran associations.
For the younger visitors?
Changing Faces Face Painting: Children’s face painting.
Vintage roundabout: Hand-cranked vintage roundabout.
Miniature railway provided by the Plym Valley Railway. (TBC)
BR Airsoft firing range.
END