The organisers of the highly acclaimed Midlands Air Festival are predicting a sell out weekend for this world-famous show. Combining an international air display and one of Europe’s largest hot air balloon events, this unique aviation festival attracts an audience from all over the Midlands, the UK and Europe.
The annual event features the spectacular red jets of the RAF Red Arrows, the historic Spitfire, Hurricane and DC3 Dakota of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the stunning mass parachute team of the RAF Falcons. This year’s highlights include from Poland the cold war Mig 17F fighter jet; from France the big beefy Conair Firecat which is a fire bomber and will be dropping over 3,000litres of water in 4 seconds; the two ground attack jets of the Strikemaster Pair and the largest civilian formation air display team in the UK – Team Raven.
Also in the air show line up is the giant four engine WW2 Flying Fortress B17; a Mustang P51 fighter; the Royal Navy Swordfish; the graceful Catalina Sea Plane; the historic bi planes of the Stampe display team; the big Vietnam era turbo prop Bronco and the insane high energy aerobatics of the Extra.
Added to these there will be two very rare famous helicopters in the ‘Rescue Pair’ one is the Westland Sea King and the other is the Westland Whirlwind, the only airworthy example in the world. Also in the rotary department is the ever-popular tiny Callidus Gyrocopter. Others include, the WW2 warbird trainer the Harvard, the evocative Rolls-Royce Spitfire, the modern ‘star ship’ Twinstar and from France the gorgeous Spartan Executive, which is a 1930’s propeller version of a modern executive jet, plus a selection of superb large radio-controlled aircraft.
For the balloon enthusiasts there will be over 100 giant multicoloured round hot air balloons plus a fabulous collection of massive ‘special shape’ character balloons, including a rare appearance of the absolutely enormous Harley Davidson motor bike, not seen in the UK for over 40 years! Other popular favourites include Iggy the Purple Dragon; Thomas the Tank Engine; Smiley Scarcrow; Finley the Turtle and Busby the King’s Guardsman to name but a few of the 27 special shapes attending this year as part of the largest line up of uniquely shaped balloons in Europe.
This amazing festival kicks off with the signature ‘Nightfire’ event which starts with an afternoon air display, then a massive balloon ascent, pyrotechnic air displays, the iconic fireglow with dancing balloons and fire show then a spectacular firework finale. These dazzling displays and glowing giants all take place in the estate grounds of the historic Ragley Hall near Alcester.
