Eastbourne Airshow Celebrates 50 Years of the Red Arrows

Fantastic photo, filming and interview opportunities around two big anniversaries at the UK’s biggest seafront airshow this August. Travel/lifestyle press visits also available on request for future features and reviews. 

Visitors to this year’s Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow are in for a double treat this year, as the free seafront airshow from 14 – 17 August looks forward to two major 50 year celebrations in the airshow calendar. Alongside a brand new live music stage on the beach, World War One displays and a visit by the Transformers Optimus Prime truck, this year’s show is set to be bigger than ever!

Last Two Lancasters in the World Re-united at Eastbourne

For historic aircraft fans, the long awaited arrival of the Canadian Lancaster RCAF FM213, makes its way across the Atlantic in August, with Eastbourne being the first European show to display the last two surviving flying Lancasters in the world flying together for the first time in 50 years. The poignant once in a lifetime display will feature as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight every day of the show, which includes a Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster.

Golden Year for the Red Arrows

Celebrating their 50 year anniversary, the RAF Red Arrows will display every day of the four day airshow, with a special 50th display season show and new look Union Jack tailfins. The only show in the UK to receive four displays, Airbourne organisers will mark the teams golden year with a special red, white, blue and gold fireworks display at the end of show party on Sunday night.

Eastbourne Borough Council Senior Head of Tourism and Leisure, Tracey McNulty said “We are extremely excited to have the Canadian Lancaster display at Airbourne this year as part of the Battle of Britain display. Visitors will be thrilled to see the two aircraft unite in the first UK date on the display tour, and aircraft enthusiasts will be eager to hear the iconic roar 8 Rolls Royce Merlin engines, along with many other exciting displays confirmed.; Coupled with the Red Arrows 50 year anniversary, this year’s Airbourne is set to be better than ever!”

Joining the flying line up, fast jet fans can enjoy the resounding heavy metal of the Eurofighter Typhoon and precision aerobatics from The Blades, Breitling Wingwalkers, Tucano, Tutor, Chinook, Lynx and Sea King. An impressive historic line-up includes the Mustang, Canberra, solo Spitfire and parachute displays from the Army Tigers and the Royal Navy Raiders freefall parachute display teams, who will be dropping in on the beach throughout the show.

New Music Stage

A new music stage on the beach will entertain the crowds with live music well into the evening, including Britain’s Got Talent boy band The Mend and X-Factor finalist Luke Friend. On Sunday night, the end of show party with Heart Breakfast will close a fantastic four days with the Red Arrows themed firework display at 10pm.

The Heart Angels will also be on the beach every day of the airshow with a special Heart viewing zone by the stage, and the opportunity to have your photo taken in Heart’s giant deckchairs, in a fun photo competition.

WWI Display

BBC History will be bringing their WWI tour to Eastbourne on 16 – 17 August. Visitors can try their hand at making ID permits, learn about communications, become a war reporter and meet experts from the Imperial War Museum to search their families’ connection to the war.

Alongside the new BBC tour, the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Living History Group will be at Airbourne over all four days giving visitors to chance to experience life as a soldier, including uniforms, weapons, equipment and training. Featured in both TV and film, the Living History Group have appeared in shows such as ‘Downton Abbey’ and advised on the film ‘War Horse’.

On the Ground

The RAF, Army and Navy village returns with a bigger exhibition than ever before featuring a new field hospital, an inflatable assault course, AAC Gazelle and a tank. The legendary Optimus Prime truck and new Transformers Age of Distinction trailer, will be visiting following the release of the brand new film. Kids will love the Haribo Big Bag Tour – a fun-filled sensory experience in giant inflatable bags of sweets, and little drivers can get behind the wheel of a mini tank for the ultimate driving experience!

Children’s entertainment beaches provide non-stop fun throughout the day and top flight display line hospitality in the Aviator Club offers 3 course lunch from £85 per person and Cirrus Rooms buffet from £66 per person. Exclusive seating can also be booked online at £12 per adult and £8 per child.

Fans can also get a birds eye view of the flying from iconic beauty spot Beachy Head or take to the skies with a helicopter pleasure flight over the scenic South Downs National Park.

Airbourne returns from 14 – 17 August from 10am every day and live music until 7.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, followed by Bandstand concerts each evening. On Sunday evening an end of show party with the Heart Breakfast team kicks off at 6pm, with a fantastic firework display at 10pm.

For more information visit www.EastbourneAirshow.com or telephone the Tourist Information Centre on 0871 663 0031.

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