Category: News UK

French Mirage IV Strategic Nuclear Bomber Gifted by France to Britain

Dassault Mirage

On Monday 27th March, the Director of the Allied Air Forces Memorial & Yorkshire Air Museum, Ian Reed ONM FRAeS, was at Châteaudun Airbase on the outskirts of Paris, to sign the contact and see off the departure of the convoy of 4 transporters on an epic 850km journey bringing the iconic Mirage IV BR (No. 45) strategic nuclear bomber gifted by the French Government to its new home at Elvington in Yorkshire.

This unique Anglo/French Project occurs just as British Prime Minister Theresa May begins the formal BREXIT process, an irony not lost on our colleagues both sides of the Channel (La Manche).

Sally Greenaway, Head of Visit York, said: “This unique gift recognises the historic links and friendship between France and Britain and we’re thrilled the Mirage IV will be making its home at the Yorkshire Air Museum. As the only example in the world of this aircraft type on display outside of France, this adds yet another unique offer for our 6.9 million visitors to York and is sure to create lots of interest not just in the UK but also overseas”.

Tens of thousands followed the journey on social media, whilst others lined the route through England as the transporter carried it’s load up the M25, M3, M25, M1, A1(M), A64 and finally the B1228 to Elvington.

This is the culmination of 12 years of negotiation and is already being followed by tens of thousands of supporters across the world by social media, TV and Press. There is a dedicated website for up to date media information with pictures, background history and supporters: http://mirage.yorkshireairmuseum.org

Chocks away for the RAF Centenary!

artists impression

April 1 2017 marked 99 years since the Royal Air Force was founded. With the services 100th anniversary approaching next year, the RAF Museum is hard at work preparing for the historic occasion by delivering a £26m RAF Centenary Programme, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Forged in the crucible of the First World War, the story of the Royal Air Force has shaped the modern world. By inspiring technological development, pioneering cultural change and pushing the boundaries of human achievement, the RAF has touched the lives of millions around the globe.

The RAF Museum is a national award-winning museum telling the story of the RAF past, present and future, through its people and collections at sites in both London and Cosford. 2018 is a once in a life-time opportunity to mark the 100th anniversary of the RAF as well as recognising the on-going impact and contribution the service plays on the world today.

Through a national collection of aircraft and artefacts, the Museum will honour this important milestone through a £26m major transformation of its visitor experience at its London site. Work is already underway to deliver the exciting plans that will celebrate and commemorate this anniversary as well as looking to the future, by creating a Royal Air Force legacy that endures and enriches future generations.

At London, new landscaping will welcome visitors to discover a new green heart of the community, reflecting the historic RAF Hendon airfield. New, innovative galleries will explore the first 100 years of the RAF, its roles today and entice visitors to imagine its future contribution and technology. Plus, a new digital sharing project will promote conversation with a global audience and help connect people to the RAF story, sharing information onsite and online.

The development plans will also include new exhibitions at Cosford, exploring the first 100 years of the RAF and new aircraft displays which are already underway, to enable the RAF’s story to be more comprehensively represented to Museum audiences in the Midlands. The Cosford site will also be the focus of ‘My RAF Story’, which promises to be the largest collection of publicly sourced RAF stories.

The new exhibition halls at London will be opening in Summer 2018 as part of the wider calendar of national RAF events. Until then it’s business as usual at both RAF Museum sites, open daily from 10 am….along with aircraft moves, exhibition construction, re-landscaping, design work and public events…..and not forgetting that admission is FREE!

Aviation fans can keep up to date with the centenary aircraft moves and on-going developments by signing up to the Museum’s free e-Newsletter http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/contact-us/newsletters.aspx

Easter Trail, Half-Price 4D Experiences and Family Fun Galore at Brooklands Museum

Concorde Experience

1st – 23rd April

There is some speggtacular Easter Family Fun at Brooklands this April with an Easter Trail that will keep visitors entertained every day from 1st – 23rd April. During this period visitors will be able to collect their free Trails on arrival, head off around the Museum to solve the hidden clues, and then back to the Shop to claim their FREE Easter-egg prize.

And there are loads of other Easter attractions at the Museum to keep visitors absorbed for the rest of their visit once they’ve solved the Trail clues. In fact, the offering is so varied that the Museum has created a special mini-calendar (see below) to remind visitors of the attractions available on each day.

Also from the 1st – 23rd April visitors can experience one of the three exhilarating rides in the 4D Theatre for HALF the normal price between 10am and 1pm – that’s just £2 for Adults and £1 for Children. Once seated and strapped in, the motion simulator provides a thrilling experience to make visitors feel as if they are taking part in the real-life action. ‘Race’ around the Brooklands track in the awesome Napier-Railton Special, ‘fly’ with the Red Arrows or ‘drive’ with legend Mike Hawthorn in his Jaguar at Le Mans in 1956. The rides run all day and last around 8 minutes each. For rides taken after 1pm, normal prices will apply (£4 and £2).

The Concorde Experience is a half-hour virtual supersonic ‘flight’ on the Brooklands Concorde and runs every day, but on each weekday from 3rd – 21st April, special Kids Tours will be running twice a day. And don’t forget to look out for the Museum’s larger than life mascot, Bertie Bear, who will be roaming the site looking for fans to have his photograph taken with weekdays 3rd – 13th April.

The Museum’s long-established and hugely popular rides in vintage-style cars and on London Bus Museum’s iconic double-decker buses will also be operating during weekdays from 3rd – 13th April. Car rides take in the challenging summit of Test Hill and the Members’ Banking, the steepest part of the original Race Track, as long as it’s not too wet or slippery. Or, for a more relaxed journey, hop on board a real double-decker bus for a bus trip through the surrounding streets. Car and bus rides will run in the mornings and afternoons with a short break for lunch and are subject to crew and vehicle availability.

The Brooklands Learning Team will be running two FREE drop-in workshops for youngsters: from 3rd – 7th April they can find out about how forces and friction work by making Bertie Bear bounce up and down on his elastic string while from 10th – 14th April and again on 17th (Easter Monday), they can look for various objects around the museum in Brooklands Bingo with the first one to fill in their sheet and shout ‘Bingo’ being the winner. All materials will be provided for these workshops and no pre-booking is necessary.

Add to this a visit to the Museum Shop to pick up a souvenir and a “refuel” in the Sunbeam Café and Brooklands Museum offers the recipe for a perfect Easter day out. Normal admission prices apply: Adults £11, Seniors £10, Children (5-16 yrs) £6, Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) £30. The Concorde Experience is £5 for adults, £3 for children. A minimum donation of £1 per passenger is requested for car and bus rides. The main visitor entrance for the Museum is via Mercedes-Benz World, on Brooklands Drive off Wellington Way between Weybridge and Byfleet.

For full details of events, directions and general Museum information, please telephone 01932 857381 or visit www.brooklandsmuseum.com. The Museum is open daily from 10am.

German front line duo are highlights of Open Cockpits Evening

Focke Wulf 190

Date: 19-20 May 2017

Time: 6.00pm to 9.00pm

Cost: £12.50 per person

Two Second World War German front line fighter aircraft, the Messerschmitt BF109G-2/Trop and the Focke Wulf Fw190A-8/U-1 have been announced as highlights at the forthcoming ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 19-20 May 2017.

With just 300 tickets available per evening, organisers are anticipating the event will be hugely popular with aviation fans eager to get a look inside two former Luftwaffe aircraft. In addition, a wide range of transport aircraft, jet fighters and unique research airframes from each of the Museum’s display hangars and within the Museum grounds will be open on the night for close viewing.

The Messerschmitt BF109G-2, designed by Willi Messerschmitt, is a legend alongside the British Spitfire, American P51 Mustang and the Japanese Zero. First flown in 1935, the Bf109 was obsolescent by the second half of World War Two yet it remained the backbone of the German Air Force’s day fighter force and was flown by many of her allies. In production right up to the end of hostilities, more than 33,000 were built second only to the Russian ‘Sturmovik’ as the most prolific military design, and post-war versions served with the Czech, Israeli and Spanish Air Forces, the latter until the mid-1960s – with Rolls Royce Merlin engines. Compact, rugged, fast and heavily armed the Bf109 has the distinction of being flown by the highest-scoring fighter aces in history. The museum’s rare example is a recent edition to the aircraft display at Cosford following its arrival in November 2016 and this is the first time the aircraft will be opened up to the public to have a closer view inside (no internal access).

Also new to the ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ line-up is fellow German fighter the Focke Wulf Fw190 – a single-seat single-engine multi-role fighter-bomber, capable of carrying a larger bomb load than its counterpart the Messerschmitt Bf109. Entering Luftwaffe service in August 1941, the Fw 190 proved superior in many respects to the Royal Air Force’s main frontline fighter, the Spitfire V. It took the introduction of the much improved Spitfire IX in July 1942 for the RAF to gain an aircraft of equal capability. One of its more unusual roles was as part of the twin-aircraft drone combination, code-named mistletoe or Mistel where a single engine fighter was mounted on top of a twin engine bomber, and on lining up with the target the fighter detached itself, leaving the bomber, packed with explosives, to impact the target. Cosford’s Fw 190 is a unique survivor of a Mistel combination and was part of a combination with a Junkers Ju 88. Although not its original partner aircraft, the Museum’s Ju88 example is now on display alongside the Fw190. Visitors to ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ will be able to sit inside the cockpit of the Fw190 on the night.

RAF Museum Cosford Curator, Al McLean said:
“The event in May is a rare chance to see inside the two most iconic German fighter aircraft of the Second World War, positioned directly opposite their British counterparts.”

Other highlights for visitors on the night will include the British Aircraft Corporation TSR 2, BAe Harrier GR9A, General Dynamics F-111F-CF and the Lockheed Hercules C130K Mk3 to name but a few.

Ticket holders will also have exclusive after-hours access to the Museum from 6pm to 9pm to experience what it feels like to sit inside a military aircraft that’s seen action around the world and marvel at the advanced technologies on unique airframes. To make sure visitors get the most out of the event, there will be a team of Volunteers manning each aircraft on the night to answer any questions from visitors.

Tickets are now available to purchase through the museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford and cost £12.50 per person which includes parking. Minimum height restrictions of 1.07 metres will apply. The Museum will close at 5.00pm both days; however the Visitor Centre and Refuel Restaurant will remain open for ticket holders and will be serving a special ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ menu.

A second Open Cockpits Evening will take place on 15-16 September and will feature a different line-up of aircraft.

RAF Aircraft Showcased at Air Show Media Launch

Cosford Air Show 2017

Various Royal Air Force aircraft were showcased at last monday’s Media Launch of the RAF Cosford Air Show 2017, giving a sneak preview of what’s to come on Sunday 11th June.

With RAF Cosford hosting the Royal Air Force’s only official Air Show, it comes as no surprise that all the RAF display teams are scheduled to perform at the show, including the world famous Red Arrows flying their nine Hawk jets. The Eurofighter Typhoon is also scheduled to perform a thrilling solo display, with Flt Lt Ryan Lawton showcasing the power and agility of the combat aircraft. The RAF’s Grob Tutor is returning to the Air Show circuit for 2017, and Sqn Ldr Andy Tagg was on hand at the Media Launch to show off the Tutor aircraft. Displays from the RAF Falcons and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will also form part of the six-hour flying display.

As well as dazzling displays in the air, there will also be an array of aircraft on static display across the airfield on Sunday 11th June which visitors will be able to get up close and personal with. Two of the aircraft types which are scheduled for static display at the Air Show, a Tucano T1 and Squirrel HT1, were present at the Media Launch today. The organisers said that more aircraft would be announced over the coming weeks.

With the Air Show fast approaching, and with no tickets available at the gate, those wishing to attend are being encouraged to purchase their tickets soon. Air Show Tickets, priced £25.00, are currently available from the Air Show website and selected retail outlets including the RAF Museum at Cosford and Hendon. Accompanied under-16s enter the Air Show for free, making the event a great family day out.

www.cosfordairshow.co.uk

Belgian Air Force on board for the Scampton Airshow

Belgian F16

An F-16 fast jet from the Belgian Air Force has become the first international aircraft to be confirmed in the flying display at the inaugural Scampton Airshow in September.

The aircraft, which is performing at the dynamic new airshow at RAF Scampton from 9-10 September, will join the RAF Red Arrows and Typhoon in the five-hour flying programme.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon has been flown by Belgium since 1979. Although its examples are among the oldest still in service, a series of major upgrades mean that they remain very capable fighters.

Two Wings of the country’s Air Component operate a total of 54 F-16s, comprised of single-seat F-16AM and two-seat F-16BM (mid-life upgrade) models. They have taken part in coalition air operations over the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya, as well as the Baltic Air Policing initiative.

Paul Sall, Airshow Director, said: “We have already received fantastic support in the UK from the RAF and we’re thrilled to see support for the show coming in from beyond these shores.

“We have extended invitations to a number of nations, in Europe and beyond, and are working hard to secure a variety of impressive flying and static aircraft to display throughout the weekend. Belgium is the first overseas Air Force to confirm their attendance in September, and I am looking forward to announcing the involvement of more countries in due course – watch this space!”

The 2017 display aircraft, provided by 31 and 349 Squadrons from the 10th Tactical Wing at Kleine Brogel, will be flown by Cdt Tom ‘Gizmo’ De Moortel in his third season as the demo pilot. He said: “I’m really looking forward to displaying the power and agility of the F-16 during the Scampton Airshow. 2017 will be my third and final year displaying the Viper for the Belgian Air Force. I’ve always enjoyed working with the best display team in the world so flying over their home base is a real honor for me. As a display team we really appreciate the warm welcome we get from the UK audience. See you in September!”

The Scampton Airshow, staged in aid of the RAF Charitable Trust at the Lincolnshire home of the Red Arrows, is a diverse, family-friendly event. It will encompass an impressive five-hour flying display, complemented by an array of entertainment on the ground, from a nostalgic Vintage Village through to interactive and engaging STEM exhibits in the Techno Zone.

Paul Sall added: “We are putting together what’s shaping up to be a truly spectacular show, with a real family feel. The wide variety of ‘on-the-ground’ activities, mixed with what’s happening in the air, means there will be something for everyone. The Scampton Airshow will see guests from across the central and north of England, as well the traditional support from ‘RAF Lincolnshire’ – this is shaping up to be the premier outdoor event in the area. I look forward to welcoming our international guests in style and showing them what Scampton and Lincolnshire has to offer!”

Tickets for the Scampton Airshow are priced at £39 and must be bought online in advance. Inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts, tickets for under 16s are free with a ticket holding adult. To find out more about the Scampton Airshow, or to buy your tickets, please visit www.scamptonairshow.com .

The Old Buckenham Airshow – Return of a Family Favourite

Yoyo - O'Brien's Flying Circus

The Award Winning Old Buckenham Airshow is delighted to announce the return of arguably the most successful and entertaining pilot in history, Brendan O’Brien.

O’Brien last visited Old Buckenham in 2014 where he successfully landed his Piper Cub on top of a trailer moving along the runway. This feat forms part of his legendary “Flying Circus” a firm family favourite on the Airshow circuit for decades. Brendan’s display, aside from being fabulous entertainment, relies on his unrivalled skill and experience. He has over 200 FAI Aviation Records, more than anyone in history. His has a license to fly every type of machine capable of being airborne, from balloons to airliners. His list of aircraft flown includes over 300 types and he has operated aircraft on every continent, including Antartica. Along the way he’s hosted his own TV show, syndicated worldwide and become one of the most admired spokesmen for Aviation flying today.

Brendan will be appearing both days at the Airshow and everyone will get a chance to see his extraordinary antics aboard the venerable Piper Cub. He’ll try once again to land on a trailer, a feat which requires ultimate skill. It’s small wonder that Brendan is the only pilot performing such an act in Europe.

This year, show goers will get a chance to see even more of Brendan’s skill than before. The Airshow will see the debut in Norfolk of Brendan’s latest acquisition, Otto the Helicopter. A fixture in the US, Brendan managed to acquire Otto in 2016 and bring him permanently to England. Otto, in the hands of a master aviator like Brendan, is capable of simply extraordinary and entertaining feats. Otto, by way of example, is the only helicopter which likes to play with a yoyo; in this case a specially made toy with 3ft diameter.

The Airshow is also delighted to confirm that a 1943 Beechcraft Staggerwing will display on both days. The Staggerwing is often voted as being one of, if not the most beautiful aircraft of all time in surveys. Only the Supermarine Spitfire appears as routinely in such surveys. The aircraft is also one of the most advanced for its time ever built. Capable of taking off from small grass landing strips, it can cruise for a thousand miles at 200mph before landing on another small grass strip. The example displaying is named High Maintenance. Once affectionately described as the most effective means of turning money into noise, the aircraft earns her name not least because she is fitted with (and needs) six fuel tanks.

On the ground the Airshow, the EDP Hoseasons Tourism Awards ‘Family Event of the Year’ in 2016, continues to make improvements. New facilities for families, including baby changing facilities are being planned. An improved site layout will add more viewing space and more entry lanes will limit queues at peak times.

The Airshow is also delighted to announce a new alliance with Brasteds, one of the regions’s foremost catering companies. Brasted’s will be bringing their unrivalled expertise to the extremely popular VIP Enclosure during the show. Brasted’s is a multi award-winning catering and events company, with over 30 years’ experience serving royalty, dignitaries, celebrities and guests across Norfolk.

Matt Wilkins, Airshow Organiser: “ The English Language contains 171,476 words. None of them are good enough to begin to describe Brendan O’Brien, statistically the greatest peacetime pilot there has ever been. We’re therefore thrilled to have him back and offer Otto the helicopter his East of England debut; sure to be a massive hits with the kids here as he has been in the States. With all the improvements we’re making we hope to continue to be worthy of our award as Family Event of the Year. “

www.oldbuck.com

RAF puts its full force behind Air Tattoo

RIAT Lancaster

Reflecting its close relationship with the Royal Air Force, the Royal International Air Tattoo has confirmed that this summer’s flying display will feature some of the Service’s most iconic aircraft, including the world-famous Red Arrows.

The world’s premier aerobatics display team will once again colour the skies over Fairford with red, white and blue on all three days of the Air Tattoo. The nine BAE Systems Hawk T1/T1A jets, which comprise the renowned Red Arrows, will perform their trademark combination of close formations and precision flying under the leadership of Sqn Ldr David Montenegro.

Also joining the flying display line-up will be the RAF’s leading multi-role combat aircraft, the Typhoon FGR.4. Capable of being deployed in the full spectrum of air operations, from policing and peace support, through to high intensity conflict, the Typhoon shows the enormity of present-day UK air power. Displayed by Flt Lt Ryan Lawton of 29(R) Sqn at RAF Coningsby, the incredible agility and power of the Typhoon is set to thrill spectators.

Taking a step back in time, the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will display two of its most famous and successful WW2 aircraft – the Lancaster and Spitfire – as it celebrates its 60th anniversary. A regular and hugely popular inclusion in recent Air Tattoos, the heavy bomber and fighter aircraft will evoke memories of Britain’s aviation history.
This summer’s Air Tattoo (14-16 July) will pay special tribute to the US Air Force on its 70th anniversary, having a distinct American theme with a special performance from one of the world’s most popular display teams, The Thunderbirds.

The Royal International Air Tattoo is staged annually at RAF Fairford in support of the RAF Charitable Trust. Earlybird admission tickets are available until midnight on May 2, starting at £34. All under-16s go free. To buy tickets, or for more information about aircraft participating at this year’s show, please visit www.airtattoo.com

Wings & Wheels RAF Line-Up Confirmed

Dunsfold Spitfires

Wings & Wheels is delighted to confirm the RAF Red Arrows will be headlining the 2017 air display along with the RAF Typhoon Display team and the Lancaster and two Spitfires from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The teams will be displaying both days on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th August at the historic setting of Dunsfold Aerodrome, near Guildford in Surrey.

The Red Arrows, who first displayed to the public in 1965, are renowned as one of the world’s premier aerobatic teams and have performed more than 4,800 times in 57 countries. The Hawk aircraft the team currently flies has a special place in the history of the Aerodrome having flown off the production line at Dunsfold in 1974 in the hands of Duncan Simpson.

The unmissable Typhoon will #bringthenoise2017 as Flight Lieutenant Ryan Lawton demonstrates the incredible agility and power the aircraft has to offer. It’s a crowd and team favourite!

Commemorating those who have fallen in the service of this country and displaying priceless artefacts of our national heritage, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will fill the skies over Dunsfold with the Lancaster and two Spitfires. Commemorating 75 years since the Second World War Aerodrome was constructed, the BBMF display will be a fitting tribute to the history of Dunsfold Aerodrome.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “The Wings & Wheels air display line-up has got off to a fantastic start with confirmation of the Red Arrows, Typhoon and BBMF joining us on both days. All these aircraft have a special place in the history of the Aerodrome and it is a pleasure to welcome them back. We have more great displays in the pipeline to announce that will complement the RAF allocation so watch this space!”

The ‘Wings’ of the event would not be complete without a close-up inspection of all the weekend’s visiting aircraft including Dunsfold’s resident Boeing 747 in the ‘Wings Park’ (open for tours), the Aces High DC3, Hunter, Sea Hawk and Brooklands VC10.

Supercars and classic and vintage icons put on an awe-inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a 2 hour auto spectacular. The ‘Wheels’ of the show includes displays from McLaren 12C, Lamborghini Aventador Roadster and Huracan, Pagani Zonda, Ferrari California T, Aston Martin Rapide, Dodge Monaco, TVR Tasmin 280i, Ducati Multistrada 1200s, Ferrari F355 Berlinetta, Ford GT40 and Lotus Elise.

Visit the Wheels Zone with a bigger and better crowd line parade and interactive displays from car and motorbike clubs. The Stunt Zone will be exploding into 2017 with four wheeled hair-raising performances from Mission Motorsport and the popular Monster Truck arena returns offering demonstrations and passenger rides.

The Military Zone & Parade is interactive and explosive bringing re-enactors, a living history zone, live battles and our popular military vehicle parade. The Zone has over 80 military vehicles, six re-enactment groups, as well as the history of Dunsfold Aerodrome and Army, Navy and RAF recruitment stands for everyone’s enjoyment.

Sid’s Zone is an action packed free area for the little ones. From 10:00 until 16:00 the kids can join in with colouring competitions, arts and crafts, paper plane challenges, relay races, egg and spoon, face painting and the popular Sid’s Trail which encourages the whole family to search the arena for questions and answers to win a goody bag. Meet and greets with show mascot Siddeley and the display pilots are not to be missed.

The excitement and anticipation doesn’t stop at the main displays as the 32 acre public arena is bursting with a huge variety of interactive attractions containing all you need for a great family day out. The show arena boasts, kit-plane demonstrations, aviation and motoring simulators, military outlets and displays, static aircraft, fairground and over 80 retail outlets selling a wide variety of products and gifts. Shopping in the arena includes a craft marquee full of tempting tea time treats to take home and craft gifts as well as a *New* Vintage Market with hair and make-up, clothes and collectables.

As the last plane touches down the party starts across the arena with musical evening entertainment from Champagne at the Blitz, a 1940s songbird trio armed with smooth harmonies, seamed nylons and lots and LOTS of red lippy!

Taking the hassle out of your day the show includes added extras to make your experience even more enjoyable; over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, two bars, hospitality facilities, free on-site parking, public camping, lost children point, disabled access, informative show commentary, opportunities to meet the pilots, official show merchandise and grandstand seating.

The 13th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th August 2017, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £22 for adults or £50 for a family. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £7. Children under 5 go free. Hospitality packages start from £155 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2017 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

RAF confirms red skies over Scampton

Red Arrows Scampton

The skies above RAF Scampton will be coloured red this September as the legendary Red Arrows are named among the first display aircraft to confirm participation at the inaugural Scampton Airshow, in Lincolnshire.

Reinforcing its commitment to the new airshow, the Royal Air Force has announced that the nine BAE Systems Hawk T1/T1A jets, which comprise the world-famous Red Arrows, will be a prominent feature at the Scampton Airshow, alongside flying displays from some of the Service’s most dynamic and iconic aircraft.

Spectators will be treated to the trademark combination of close formation and precision flying from the world’s premier aerobatic display team as they will be performing over their home turf under the leadership of Sqn Ldr David Montenegro.

Paul Sall, Airshow Director, said: “We are thrilled to announce the Reds as the first aircraft in what I’m sure will be a great line-up for the debut Scampton Airshow – there really could be no one else to kick it off.

“With almost 5,000 displays under their belt and a very successful tour of the far East and China late last year, the Red Arrows demonstrate the best of British, and the excellence and capabilities of the Royal Air Force. We have had the privilege to see them train during the winter months at the base and are sure that they will leave visitors to the airshow exhilarated.”

Joining the flying display line-up will be leading multi-role combat aircraft, the RAF Typhoon FGR.4. Displayed by Flt Lt Ryan Lawton of 29(R) Sqn, the Typhoon, from RAF Coningsby, is capable of being deployed in the full spectrum of air operations, and is set to thrill spectators with its incredible agility and power.

As it celebrates its 60th anniversary, the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, will display five of its most famous and successful WW2 aircraft. Crucial to the Dambusters raid, spectators will be able to enjoy the evocative sight and sound of the Lancaster bomber, as well as that of four BBMF Spitfires.

The RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team have also confirmed they will be joining the Scampton Airshow line-up with a jaw-dropping free fall performance. The Falcons, fronted by Officer Commanding Flight Lieutenant Simon Owen, are one of the world’s leading free fall display teams. Their exciting demonstration, which includes advanced manoeuvres, canopy skills and falling at speeds up to 120mph, promises to be a highlight for thrill-seeking onlookers.

Paul Sall continued: “When discussions were in progress surrounding the RAF’s commitment to a new airshow, it was agreed that RAF Scampton was the ideal place to host it. Not only does the station hold so much history as the base of the legendary 617 ‘Dambusters’ Squadron and the venerable Vulcan, but there is also a huge appetite for an airshow in Lincolnshire. Through the BBMF and various ground displays we’ll be looking to reflect this county’s rich aviation heritage.

“It’s great to see that the RAF is continuing to show its full commitment to the airshow, and we look forward to announcing the static aircraft will be added to the line-up in due course. The RAF confirmations are just a taste of what’s to come so we really hope everyone will get behind this exciting new event.”

The Scampton Airshow, staged in support of the RAF Charitable Trust, will take place from 9-10 September at RAF Scampton. Visitors to the show will witness an impressive five-hour flying display, complemented by an array of entertainment on the ground, from a nostalgic Vintage Village through to interactive and engaging STEM exhibits in the Techno Zone.

Under 16s are free to attend with a ticket holding adult. To find out more about the Scampton Airshow, or to buy your tickets, please visit www.scamptonairshow.com