Final Countdown to Air Day

French Navy Rafale Duo Yeovilton Air Day

Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton International Air Day 2016 takes to the skies on Saturday 2 July. Now fast approaching its seventieth anniversary (the first event was staged in 1947), Air Day is one of the Royal Navy’s premier annual events and among the South West’s key single-day shows, attracting up to 40,000 spectators. An action-packed day featuring five hours of spectacular flying displays, extensive ground displays and a galaxy of other attractions is in store for all who attend.

Air Day 2016’s theme is Naval Aviation – Past, Present & Future. We will remember a landmark Royal Navy engagement of 75 years ago when Swordfish biplanes famously helped sink a key German Navy battleship. We say farewell to the maritime Lynx, paying tribute to the Fleet Air Arm’s outgoing small ships helicopter, which will be retired in March 2017, and looking to the future, we celebrate the new generation of Wildcat and Merlin helicopters.

10 Unmissable Air Day Highlights

  • Navy Wings – A rich assortment of past naval aircraft including the Royal Navy Historic Flight’s Swordfish biplane torpedo bomber in its 820 NAS Bismarck attack scheme, the pounding Seafire and Corsair WW2 fighters, both in British Pacific Fleet schemes, and the world’s only flying Sea Vixen fleet air defence fighter of the 1960s. Ground exhibits include the Sea Fury – one of the fastest piston-engine fighters ever built, the mighty Phantom 1970s fleet air defence fighter and two Sea Harriers.
  • International Display Teams – Three world-class international display teams, with Air Day newcomer the Polish Air Force’s Orlik Aerobatic Team joining longstanding crowd favourites the RAF Red Arrows and the Royal Jordanian Falcons.
  • Lynx Farewell – One very last chance to see these legendary maritime helicopters in action over home ground at Air Day. Our Lynx Farewell events include a special formation flypast and a spectacular Maritime Role Demo.
  • STEM – The Royal Aeronautical Society’s wind tunnel, the Imagineering Foundation’s interactive exhibits and other features making up our STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics) fair designed to inspire the next generation of engineers.
  • B-17G Flying Fortress ‘Sally B’ – Europe’s only flying example of the famed US WW2 bomber, making its first Air Day appearance in over 15 years.
  • Commando Assault Finale – World-renowned, Air Day’s Commando Assault finale features helicopters, troops and pyrotechnics galore! This edition will be the first in which the Commando Helicopter’s Force’s very impressive new Merlin iHC3 troop transport helicopters take centre stage.
  • Arena & Music Displays – Highlights include the hotly-contested HMS Heron Field Gun Competition and performances from The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines in the arena. Whilst in Hangar 8 the Yeovilton Military Wives Choir and HMS Heron’s Volunteer Band will be on hand to entertain you.
  • Roaring Fast Jets – Cutting-edge multirole fighters, with a sensational solo display from the RAF’s Typhoon FGR4 and the French Navy’s scintillating Rafale M role demonstration pair, again making its only UK airshow appearance of the year.
  • The ‘Heavies’ – Dominating the static park will be a line-up of huge overseas military aircraft including an E-3A Sentry, C-17 Globemaster and C-160D Transall. Most of them will be opened up to the general public.
  • Family Attractions – For car enthusiasts our extensive vehicle exhibition includes an array of ex-military vehicles, classic cars and high-performance supercars to view and even sit in. Meet Transformers, Star Wars and Superhero characters who will be roaming around the showground, interacting with our younger visitors. For the more adventurous there are simulators, pleasure flights and thrill-seeking fairground rides including a 90ft sky swing!  

Discounted Advance Tickets are now only available from participating Tourist Information Centres until 5pm Friday 1 July. Tickets are also available On the Day priced at £27 for Adults and £14 for Children under 16. Children under 5 are free of charge. Full details, including visitor information can be found at www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday or by calling the Ticket Office on 0330 100 3656.

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