THE 65th anniversary of the legendary Dambuster raids will be celebrated at the Yorkshire Air Museum this weekend.

The Elvington museum is getting ready as it gears up for this year's Battlegroup North and Military Wheels & Wings Show.

The Dambuster raids, which occurred on May 16, 1943, will be commemorated with flypasts by Lancaster and Dakota aircraft of the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight, something museum bosses say is sure to be a highlight of the show.

Museum spokesman Ian Richardson said: "We are absolutely delighted with this show of support for the event from all across the region and beyond, and, of course, the Royal Air Force Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight. It will be fantastic to see the Lancaster and Dakota over the skies of Elvington, in what will be their only appearances here this year."

Meanwhile, the Yorkshire Military Vehicle Trust has 200 historic vehicles booked into the show from all across the region, making it the biggest gathering in the North of England. The spectacular line-up of vehicles will even include tanks, along with half-tracks and a wide variety of trucks and Jeeps.

Re-enactment groups will also be in attendance, in addition to the museum's own "home" group, the East Yorkshire Regiment Living History Group.

Among those scheduled to attend include the Normandy Arnhem Society, from Thirsk, the Pontefract Home Guard, the 307th Medical Company, from Bolton. The Frontline Association, from Hull, will be bringing the Germans.

A novel display will be the 4th Indian Division Re-enactment group from Stanley, County Durham, with their Air Observational Post which will include a static display of a Second World War Auster aircraft.

Mr Richardson said: "Perhaps the icing on the cake is the allocation of flypasts from the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight.

"We are expecting the Lancaster this Saturday and the Dakota on the Sunday and, weather permitting, we anticipate some superb flypasts once again."

Visitors will also be able to observe and take part in precision model "wargaming", as enthusiasts stage demonstration and participation games, many of which will be based on real-life battle scenarios. Novices will be invited to join in the fun.

The event runs from 10am to 5pm on both days. Admission costs £7 for adults, £5 for senior citizens and £4 for children. There will be free parking.

The Dambusters have been immortalised in Second World War folklore as a result of their attack on the dams of the Ruhr. As part of the Allies bombing campaign against Germany during the war, the Dambusters were an elite Lancaster bomber unit and the raid was led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC.