One of the world’s most famous aircraft will make a nostalgic return to the Cotswolds when a display team takes to the skies at the Battle of Britain Airshow later this month.Nearly every UK-based Tiger Moth was based at RAF Kemble (as Cotswold Airport was formerly known ) at the end of the Second World War.

And a large selection of beautifully-restored examples will return to the site for the show, on September 17 and 18, in the form of the Tiger Nine aerobatic display team.

The team only performs a handful of shows each year, which means airshow crowds will get a rare opportunity to see them at close quarters.

Event operations manager Glen Moreman said: “It will be great to see the team at the airshow and I’m sure that, for some of our older visitors from within the local area, it will be very nostalgic too.

“Most civilian aircraft were compulsorily taken over by the RAF during the war and a large number of Tiger Moths were based at Kemble towards the end of the conflict when they were then sold back for regular use.

“It’s almost certain that most of the Tiger Moths in the Tiger Nine team will have been among those based here and for them to choose the Battle of Britain Airshow as one of the few they perform at throughout the year is fantastic. I’m sure the crowd will love them.”

In addition to the Tiger Nine team, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster) will perform.

There will also be a display by the South Cerney-based Renegades parachute team and the RedHawks aerobatic display team, and an AN2, Chipmunk and Bucker Jungmeister will also take to the skies.

Meanwhile, crowds will also be offered the chance to fly in a vintage airliner, courtesy of Classic Flight and its stunning de Havilland Dragon Rapide.

Cotswold Airport-based HH Helicopters will be offering pleasure flights too.
Unlike previous years, when the event was a pure airshow, the 2011 event will also feature a traditional fair, complete with carousel, helter skelter and other rides.

Organisers are also inviting local traders to become more involved and use the show to showcase their products and services and create a shopping area featuring the best of local produce.

Event director Suzannah Harvey said: “The Cotswolds offer so much and we are really keen to showcase exactly what local businesses and individuals provide.

“We truly want local people to feel part of what we are trying to achieve at the airport and through our events and have been very encouraged by the interest shown so far.”

Tickets for the event are priced at £15, with children 16 and under admitted free.

They are available online through the air show website (www.battleofbritainairshow.com); at The Crown public house, West Market Place, Cirencester; Kemble Village Shop, Windmill Road, Kemble; from the following Tourist Information Centres: Cheltenham, Chippenham, Cirencester, Corsham, Malmesbury, Stroud, Swindon, Tetbury, Warminster, Bath, Bourton-on-the-Water, Melksham, Trowbridge, Gloucester, Tewkesbury; and also by telephoning 08712 301 079.

Local traders are also being offered heavily discounted rates for showground pitches.

For more information on trade stand rates, contact Suzannah Harvey at suzannah@cotswoldairport.com.

Tags: 2011, Airport, Airshow, Battle, Britain, Cotswold, News, of, September