UK Airshow News – Page 69

Experience a stateside showcase at Imperial War Museum Duxford

American Air Day

Friday 19 August

Enjoy an Anglo-American celebration as Imperial War Museum Duxford hosts its fifth American Air Day on Friday 19 August.

This family-friendly, interactive day showcases the work of the United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE), in particular units of the Third Air Force based at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in East Anglia.

Meet and mingle with USAFE personnel and find out more about their missions, aircraft and equipment. Discover what it is like to be serving on an American air base in Britain.

Exciting flying demonstrations will include displays by the F-15 C (x2), a tactical single-seat fighter and the F-15E Strike Eagle (x2) a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. There will also be a flyby from the KC-135 Stratotanker, the aircraft that provides the core refuelling capability for the United States Air Force, having excelled in this role for more than 50 years.

It is also likely that there will be a flypast by the A-10 Thunderbolt II (x 2), a highly-advanced fighter aircraft which has excellent manoeuvrability at low speeds and altitude, with a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform. The A10 Thunderbolt II has not previously flown at Duxford so there is huge excitement around this potential flypast!

A selection of Duxford’s historic American aircraft will also take to the skies, celebrating the United States’ heritage of iconic aeroplanes. These will include the North American F-86 Sabre, Boeing Stearman, AT-16 Harvard (x 2), Beechcraft 17 Staggerwing and the Consolidated PBY Catalina.

See a wide range of displays and demonstrations which show the diversity of operations and roles within USAFE. The popular Security Forces Service (SFS) K9 dog display team will be showcasing the skills of USAFE’s highly trained dogs in three demonstrations throughout the day.

There will also be a display of the Security Forces Humvee vehicles and a display of trucks and firefighting equipment from the USAFE Fire Service, including the chance to meet Sparky the Fire Dog. In addition, there will be a Birds of Prey demonstration, which is always a huge attraction.

The USAFE Operational Support Service will be presenting aircrew flight equipment and demonstrating how they prepare a fighter aircraft for readiness – using Duxford’s own static F15 Eagle exhibit as part of the demonstration for true authenticity.

In a poignant Missing in Action ceremony, the USAFE Honor Guard will be remembering United States personnel who have lost their lives in active service.

This moving act of remembrance directly links with the American Air Museum at IWM Duxford, which stands as a memorial to the 30,000 American airmen who gave their lives flying from UK bases in defence of liberty during the Second WorldWar and also honours those who fought in Korea, Vietnam, Libya, Iraq and other conflicts and battles of the 20th and 21st centuries.

We’re delighted to be welcoming back SR-71 Blackbird pilot Colonel Richard Graham who will be hosting walk-around tours of the Blackbird spy plane that he flew, which is now in pride of place in the American Air Museum.

There will also be a display of stylish American classic cars, complete with fins, chrome and fabulous interiors.

Come along and meet members of the United States Air Force in Europe in a relaxed, family-friendly day and enjoy an Anglo-American celebration at Duxford!

This exciting day also acknowledges the historic link between East Anglia and the United States Army Air Force that dates back to 1918, when the first US airmen arrived at RAF Duxford.

Summer Holiday activities too!

In addition, IWM Duxford’s summer holiday activities will be running during American Air Day.

Try your hand at exciting experiments as Feel the Force brings science and technology to life from 10.30am to 2.30pm under the wings of the iconic Concorde in AirSpace. Get a grip, pulling and pushing gears and levers to see forces and motion at work and then discover how those forces are put to great effect in the huge aircraft that surround you.

Test your knowledge of the flying pioneers who played a significant role in the development of aviation and try a real ejector seat for size.

The Airfix Make and Paint Zone provides an opportunity to make your own Airfix model and paint it in a range of colours. Once complete, the finished model aircraft is placed into a hanger box so that you can take your aviation masterpiece home as a souvenir of your day at Duxford.

Duxford takes a trip back to the 1940s Home Front in Hangar 4: Battle of Britain from 11.00am to 3.00pm with Gooseberries and Gas Masks.

Find out about life during the Second World War; discover what the wartime ration of food looked like, the types of gas masks that were worn and the air raid precautions that were strictly followed. Then put your wartime wisdom to the test with our Home Front quizzes.

Chat to a costumed interpreter enacting a wartime character – you could meet a Forties housewife, a member of the Home Guard, an ARP Warden or a Bomb Disposal Officer. Find out more about their exciting and dangerous war work and day-to-day Home Front life.

Visit the children’s dressing up station and try on mini-wartime outfits and uniforms. Choose from ARP, Home Guard and civilian outfits and see which suits you best!

Get hands-on with thrifty ‘Make Do and Mend’ craft activities and see a recreated ‘Dig for Victory’ allotment, bursting with ‘vegetables’ to keep Britain healthy during wartime.

www.iwm.org.uk/duxford

JLS, Grease and Showaddywaddy Headline Airbourne Evening Entertainment

Visitors to Eastbourne International Airshow can look forward to a real musical showcase of evening entertainment with Bandstand concerts, movie screenings and firework spectaculars extending Airbourne into the night.When the flying comes to an end, visitors can still enjoy the buzz of the airshow excitement into the evening with Bandstand concerts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, including tribute and Big Band.

Friday promises an extended schedule of flying with the Red Arrows headlining an evening programme at 7pm, while Saturday promises a Night at the Movies with Grease being shown on a giant screen, and the dazzling firework finale rounds off the four day extravaganza on Sunday night.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “The evening entertainment at Airbourne creates a real festival feeling in Eastbourne with lots for visitors of all ages to enjoy during the day and on into the evening. The Airbourne Bandstand concerts offer something totally different this year with two brand new tribute nights to JLS and Showaddywaddy, something for all generations! With Saturday Night at the Movies promising a great big screen experience too with a free beachside film showing, I hope we see lots of visitors extend their day out at Airbourne long into the evening!”

Kicking off the evening entertainment on Thursday evening is Big Band Night with Swingshift performing all the hits from this memorable era.

Friday night promises extended flying until 8pm with displays from the Belgian F16, Matadors Team, Hawker Hurricane, Blades and Red Arrows performing a dusk flying display before a JLS tribute act take to the stage at the Bandstand performing some of today’s most popular hits.

Saturday promises a step back in time to the 60s and 70s with one of the world’s best loved musicals Grease being shown on a big screen on the Western Lawns at 6pm, and a Showaddywaddy tribute concert at the Bandstand at 8pm for a rock ‘n’ roll night.

Sunday promises a firework display to take visitors’ breaths away as a fitting end to the thrilling four day event with a colourful display of pyrotechnics launched from Eastbourne Pier at 10pm.

Tickets for all Bandstand concerts are on sale now from the Seafront Office, next to the Bandstand, or by calling 01323 410611. Visitors can also book exclusive seating to watch the firework final for just £2 from the Seafront Office.

For more information on the evening entertainment at Airbourne 2011 visit www.eastbourneairshow.com or call 0871 663 0031.

Official Airbourne Souvenir Programme on Sale Now

Eastbourne is getting ready for the biggest event of the year next week with Airbourne flying into town from 11-14 August and airshow fans are being invited to join the final countdown with the official souvenir programme on sale now.Visitors to Eastbourne International Airshow, which gets underway next Thursday, can enjoy an early preview of the thrilling flying displays, arena action, and packed programme of evening entertainment with the official 2011 souvenir programme hitting news shelves around the town.

Hundreds of pre-orders have already been taken online for this year’s programme and now eager fans can get their hands on a copy from businesses and newsagents in and around Eastbourne.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure Cllr Neil Stanley said “I can’t believe that Airbourne is now only a week away and this year’s show certainly promises to be action-packed from start to finish, with new attractions joining old favourites. The souvenir programme is a brilliant way to get an insider’s guide to all the flying displays and to start planning your visit to the event next week. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the many businesses around the town who are helping us to sell the programme this year and spread the Airbourne brand as far and wide as possible!”

This year’s programme promises a double page of discount vouchers for Airbourne visitors to redeem at local attractions as well as two competitions, including the chance to win a season ticket for Eastbourne Town FC. Programme buyers will also be able to receive up to the minute flying times each day.

Available at more outlets across the town than ever before, there is no excuse for airshow fans to miss out on grabbing their copy. Priced at just £3, the programme is available to buy now from the Tourist Information Centre, Seafront Office, online from www.visiteastbourne.com and at a wide range of independent newsagents and outlets in Eastbourne.

Programme sellers will also be located around Eastbourne from Monday 8 August. With official Airbourne radio headsets available to purchase offering the chance for visitors to listen to the official airshow radio station on 87.7FM from Monday, visitors can buy both a programme and radio headset for just £5 and enjoy the ultimate guide to Airbourne on the go.

For more information on Airbourne 2011 or to order a copy of the programme online visit www.visiteastbourne.com or telephone 0871 663 0031.

Hairbourne Comes to Airbourne

Visitors to Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow are invited to go ‘Hairbourne’ next week with celebrity hairdresser Jal Clarke cutting hair for donations and attempting to set a new World Record.The owner of Icon Stylists in Eastbourne is extending the attractions and activities on the ground at Airbourne when it returns to the seafront next week from 11-14 August.

Throughout the four days, visitors will be able to have their hair cut in return for donations towards the future of the airshow and the Eastbourne RNLI, as well as watch the celebrity hairdresser try to set a new Guinness World Record for the highest number of haircuts in one hour.

With the Eastbourne Hospitality Association (EHA) already organising a retiring collection of visitor donations towards Airbourne and their chosen charity for 2011, the Eastbourne RNLI, Jal’s Hairbourne initiative comes as a further boost.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “We are very excited to welcome Jal Clarke and his team from Icon Stylists to Airbourne and offer a unique setting for a haircut! With a packed programme of flying displays and arena attractions ready to entertain the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected over the free four day event, Hairbourne, which will be located at the foot of the Wish Tower Slopes, will offer something a little different! I hope that visitors take the opportunity to support Airbourne in this novel way by enjoying a haircut and contributing towards the future of this world famous event all at the same time.”

Jal will attempt the new World Record on the Saturday of Airbourne and visitors are also invited to watch local group The Sea Gypsies modelling new hairstyles before performing their dance act.

The hairdressing fun will continue through to Sunday too with visitors invited to enter a prize draw for the chance to play Jal’s version of The Generation Game. Contestants will watch an Icon stylist create a hair-up style and will then have to try their best to copy it on a volunteer, with the overall winner receiving a full makeover courtesy of Icon Stylists.

Jal Clarke said “It’s a privilege for Icon Stylists to be appearing at such a great show as Airbourne. We are glad to help raise money and awareness to the importance of local events that Eastbourne Borough Council strives to achieve for the future in Eastbourne. Year after year, 24-7, don’t they do it well?”

Other highlights coming up at Airbourne next week include a top flight of flying displays including the iconic Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, The Blades, Breitling Wingwalkers and new for 2011, displays from the Royal Navy Black Cats and Royal Navy Raiders Parachute Display Team.

The Marines Unarmed Combat team are set to make a welcome return to the arena displays, alongside the popular Essex Dog Display Team and RAF College Band, with a special ground visit by the Red Arrows scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

With concerts at the Bandstand on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, a big screen showing of Grease, and a firework finale, the airshow experience will continue through to the evenings on all four days.

For more information on Airbourne 2011 go to www.eastbourneairshow.com or call 0871 663 0031.

CROWD CELEBR-ATES DEBUT AIRSHOW

A capacity crowd proved to be one of the stars of the show at a hugely-successful air display held at Scotland’s National Museum of Flight on Saturday (July 23).

This was the first year that the annual summer airshow, at East Fortune, south east of Edinburgh, had been organised by Air Tattoo Event Services (ATES), the air display arm of the Royal International Air Tattoo based at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, home of the world’s largest military airshow.
And the ATES show, which took place in glorious sunshine went down a storm with the 12-000-strong crowd that flocked to the airfield.

ATES Display Director Norman Webster said: “I’ve never seen a more appreciative or enthusiastic audience at any flying display in the UK. The shouts and cheers as the Skyraider and Bronco flew past, and the whole crowd standing up and waving as the Sea King departed are things I will carry with me for a long time – it was truly a joy to present a display to such a stunning crowd.”

Stars of the show including the UHIH “Huey” helicopter, the DH-2, de Havilland’s first world war biplane, the de Havilland Dragon biplane airliner from the 1930s, and the North American OV-10 Bronco, making is debut display in Scotland.

Alongside the air display, the Museum of Flight was open to visitors while sideshows and arena acts also did their bit in keeping audiences amused.

Norm concluded: “It was excellent, really good. The weather was brilliant, and there were so many people there that the airshow nearly ran out of parking spaces. And the audience reaction certainly bodes well for the future, with our second ATES display taking place on July 29, 2012, when we hope it will be even bigger and better.”

Crews Share Honours at Air Tattoo

Honours were evenly distributed at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, with just one crew – the C-27J Spartan from the Italian Air Force – scooping two prizes.

The winners were announced at the traditional end to the event, the Sunday Night Hangar Party, when Air Chief Marshal Sir John Cheshire, Chairman of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, opened proceedings by thanking everyone for their contributions to RIAT 2011.

Sir John thanked all the air crews for creating “two days of stunning flying displaying, not withstanding the very difficult weather conditions” and paid special tribute to the Patrulla Aguila from Spain who were unable to fly on either day: “We hope they’ll be back next year and that the weather will allow them to show off their talents,” he concluded.

Air Cde Nigel Wharmby of the Air Tattoo’s Flying Control Committee commented on the professionalism shown by everyone, especially the Spanish display team, and made special mention of the Air Training Corps. “The display with training aircraft and gliders was truly remarkable given that the wind and weather made conditions phenomenally difficult,” he said, adding: “I salute you.”

This year the top award, the King Hussein Memorial Sword – presented in memory of the late HM King Hussein of Jordan, Patron of the International Air Tattoo (1983-1989) for the Best Overall Flying Demonstration – went to Maj Murat Keles, flying the F-16C “Solo Turk” from 141st Sqn, Turkish Air Force.

Maj Keles said: “I am very happy. It is wonderful to receive this award in the first year of our display and in the same year as we celebrate 100 years of the Turkish Air Force.”

The sword was presented by Major General Malek Habashnah, Commander Royal Jordanian Air Force, on behalf of HRH Lt Gen Prince Faisal.

The Paul Bowen Trophy – presented in memory of The Royal International Air Tattoo co-founder Paul Bowen for the Best Solo Jet Demonstration – went to Capt Michael “Mikael” Brocard flying the Rafale C from EC01.007, French Air Force. The trophy was presented by Tim Prince, Director of the Air Tattoo and Chief Executive of the RAFCTE.

Capt Brocard said: “This is my first time at the Air Tattoo and my first display outside France this year, so to receive this award is fantastic. I hope I can return next year.”

The Sir Douglas Bader Trophy – for the Best Individual Flying Display – went to Maj Severino De Luca, Maj Francesco Ferreri and Chf Master Sgt Ugo Sabeni from Reparto Sperimentale Volof of the Italian Air Force, flying the C-27J Spartan.

Alan Smith, Chairman of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, presented the trophy to the winning crew. Maj De Luca said: “This is so unexpected and an immense pleasure. I’m so pleased for myself and the entire team – it’s the greatest honour we can have.”

Seconds after receiving the Sir Douglas Bader Trophy, the same team were back on stage to be presented with the As the Crow Flies Trophy, voted for by the Friends of the Royal International Air Tattoo, and presented by Fred Crawley, Trustee of the RAF Charitable Trust.

Maj De Luca added: “We weren’t expecting to succeed so to get two exceptional gifts from the organisation is a great honour. It’s very not expected!”

Gp Capt Geoff Brindle, whose Air Tattoo roles have included Lightning Display Pilot and Flying Display Director, presented The Lockheed Martin Cannestra Trophy – awarded by Lockheed Martin for the Best Flying Demonstration by an overseas participant – to Maj Roland “Wally” Blankenspoor and Capt Paul “Wokkel” Webbink, flying the Royal Netherlands Air Force AH-64D Apache.

Maj Blankenspoor commented: “This is a real honour for the whole team, and I’m very proud of them all. This is not our regular job, performing as a display team, so I’m proud of the whole crew: it’s a nice reward for the team.”

The Steedman Display Sword – presented by The Royal International Air Tattoo in memory of the late Air Chief Marshal Sir Alasdair Steedman, Chairman of the International Air Tattoo (1981-1988), for the Best Flying Demonstration by a UK participant – was awarded to Mark Bowman flying the BAE Systems Typhoon FGR4.

Air Chief Marshal Sir John Cheshire presented the sword to BAE Systems Test Pilot Mark Bowman who said: “This award is testament to the efforts of the company and all the groundcrew that made the display possible.”

And finally, the Best Livery award went to Maj Ingo Heinle and Capt Rene Lorgen of JBG 32, German Air Force with their Tornado ECR. They received the award from Gardiner Porter, Senior Manager, Military Global Sales for Jeppesen. Maj Heinle said: “The award belongs to the designer of our scheme, Joey. Thank you very much on his behalf.”

www.airtattoo.com

Ukrainians Reflect on Show Return

The Ukrainian Air Force say they have been delighted to be back at this weekend’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.The air arm was last present at the Air Tattoo in 2000 when the event took place at RAF Cottesmore in Rutland: prior to that they’d appeared at Fairford in 1999, having made their Air Tattoo debut in 1996.

Now, in the 40th-anniversary year of the show, the Ukrainians have returned bringing two stars of the static display with them: the Sukhoi Su-27 and a giant Ilyushin Il-76 transport plane.

Lt Gen Sergii Onyschenko of the Ukrainian Air Force said he was delighted his Air Force could be represented at the show. He said: “I am very proud that our Air Force could take part in this world famous airshow.

Gen Onyschenko first visited the UK when he was a student at the General Staff College in Ukraine, and said he took home many memories. “Britain and Ukraine have a very good close relationship and it will continue with visits like this,” he said.

While at the Air Tattoo, Gen Onyschenko met Prince Michael of Kent and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton: the special guests were shown around the aircraft and invited to sit in the Su-27.

www.airtattoo.com

Stars Shine at Air Tattoo

Displays by the only Cold War Vulcan bomber still flying, a BAE Systems’ Typhoon and a US Air Force A-10 were among the stars of this weekend’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

Around 138,000 people attended during the show period and enjoyed some spectacular flying displays as well as a wealth of entertainment on the showground – including a concert by X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke on the Sunday.

The event got off to a spectacular start with the christening of the A330 ‘Voyager’, the RAF’s new air-to-air refuelling aircraft, when the Air Tattoo was delighted to welcome Government officials. Secretary of State for Defence Dr Liam Fox was the guest of honour at the official ceremony, accompanied by Gerald Howarth, Minister of International Security Strategy, and Peter Luff, Minister of Defence Equipment, Support and Technology.

Both days saw participants pulling out all the stops to entertain with some superb flying, one of the highlights being the Hawker Hunter 60th Anniversary flypast with the veteran aircraft turning out to mark the 40th anniversary of the Air Tattoo itself. And making their UK debut, the Saudi Hawks display team lived up to expectations with an impressive performance, cementing the Air Tattoo’s reputation for bringing new aerobatic display teams to the event.

The Russian-built Sukhoi Su-27 “Flanker” was the aircraft every enthusiast wanted to see, and it didn’t disappoint, flying in from the Ukraine accompanied by a giant Ilyushin IL-76 transport plane before going on static display. In total, 219 aircraft took part in the Air Tattoo, from 27 air arms representing 17 nations.

Both days started with rain but the weather failed to dampen spirits, with the crowds enjoying a huge range of showground activities and events, in addition to the spectacular flying sequences. The weather improved in the afternoon on both days, with the airshow closing in sunshine with a thrilling finale by the Breitling Jet Team, performing a unique flypast with their fellow Breitling Wingwalking Team – a fitting birthday present for the Air Tattoo.

Special guests included: HRH Prince Michael of Kent; HRH Lieutenant General Prince Feisal bin Hussein of Jordan, Patron of the Air Tattoo’s Flying Scholarships for the Disabled; Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton; and the Chinese PLA Air Force’s Deputy Commander, Lt Gen Chen Xiaogong, with Defence Attache Maj Gen Zhang Jianguo. Also attending in his role as Patron of the RAF Charitable Trust was HRH the Duke of Kent.

Organisers said the event was a great success. Air Tattoo Chief Executive Tim Prince said: “I’m so pleased that the great British public, and our overseas visitors, came to support us. They came determined to have a good time and, in response, the Air Tattoo team – whether volunteers, sponsors, supporting military units, aircrew or our paid staff – battled through the challenges the weather gave us to do what Britain does best, put on a superb airshow. Our grateful thanks go to everyone for supporting us in our 40th anniversary year.

“We’ve been especially pleased to welcome the delegation from China, and we hope their visit bodes well for the future aircraft participation from that nation.”

“This year’s airshow has seen other organisations celebrating anniversaries, and we’ve been delighted to help the Air Cadets celebrate 70 years as they are invaluable in helping keep the airshow running smoothly). We were also pleased to mark the 50th anniversary of the NATO Tiger Association, maintaining the strong bonds we enjoy with this group of enthusiastic and colourful aviators; and to help the MoD Police celebrate 40 years. It’s also been good to welcome the latest addition to the ISTAR family, the CASA 295AEW, and to get a taste of the future with the Rivet Joint – soon to be operated by the RAF – the Mantis and the SPYDR aircraft.”

Despite the large crowds there were relatively few incidents over the weekend. Chief Medical Officer Sara Hall reported that 192 visitors had been treated for minor injuries, largely climate-related with people suffering the effects of heat, cold and rain. First Aid Posts and the Medical Centre were kept busy, with five per cent of patients being conveyed to hospital for further treatment.

And Fire Control Officer Barry Hudson reported a safe Air Tattoo, assisted by the indifferent weather. Small incidents included a bird strike on a Hawk aircraft, firefighters being called to assist a visitor who’d collapsed, and a car fire adjacent to Jubilee Garden enclosure which was managed by the Domestic Fire Crew.

First-time Air Tattoo visitor Liz Clark from Stanford-in-the-Vale, Oxfordshire, said: “It’s a long time since I’ve been to an airshow and this has reminded me what I’ve been missing. It’s been amazing, and I got quite sentimental seeing the Spitfire and Vulcan. I’ll come again!”

And John Thompson from Cottingham, East Yorkshire, said: “I was very impressed with the flying displays and the Chinook which I’d never seen perform before. I liked the Rafale best – it got closest to the crowd and was the noisiest – and it was great to see the Vulcan which did much more than I expected. There was such variety – I enjoyed it all.”

www.airtattoo.com

The Royal International Air Tattoo is staged annually in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust which, in turn, awards grants in support of the RAF family, including serving personnel and Air Cadets. Since it was established in January 2005, the Trustees have awarded over £1.56 million to a wide range of projects and initiatives.

Vulcan Roars into Air Tattoo

THE Vulcan “roar” has once again been heard in the skies above RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire as the iconic aircraft flew in to take part in this weekend’s Royal International Air Tattoo.

The distinctive shape of the mighty Avro Vulcan, the biggest aircraft in RAF history, touched down this afternoon, with the ‘Vulcan Effect’ being sufficient to fill the FRIAT grandstand and empty the corporate chalets, as a crowd of several thousand onlookers witnessed the arrival of this graceful machine.

For the third year in a row, the Vulcan “roar” will once again be heard as XH558 powers up her four Olympus engines and begins her take-off, before wowing the crowds with performances on both days at the weekend.

Richard Clarke, Press officer and patron of the Vulcan To The Sky (VTTS) organisation said: “The Vulcan is a very popular aircraft on the airshow circuit and it attracts large numbers of people. We’ve been coming to RIAT since 2009 and the pilots love flying here. It’s a great experience”.

This weekend’s co-pilot is Martin Withers, the veteran Vulcan pilot who flew the aircraft in action during the Falklands War.

E-tickets are still available for both days of the airshow (up to 9pm tonight for Saturday’s show, and to 9pm tomorrow for Sunday’s show) from the Air Tattoo website, www.airtattoo.com. Tickets will not be available at the gate but can still be bought, subject to availability, at branches of Barclays Bank, Little Chefs and at Tourist Information Centres.

The Ukrainians have Landed

A PAIR of aircraft dating from the Cold War era have arrived from the Ukraine to take part in the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire this weekend.The Russian-built Sukhoi Su-27 ‘Flanker’, sporting the spectacular blue camouflage of the Ukrainian Air Force, touched down at RAF Fairford today (Thursday) ready to take its place as one of the stars of the spectacular static display.

Arriving alongside the Flanker was another Russian design, a giant Ilyushin IL-76 transport plane, which will also appear on static display alongside its Western-built counterparts this weekend.

The Flanker is considered to be one of the most potent Russian-built fighters, first developed in the 1970s to counter the US Air Force’s new F-15 Eagle. It is often considered to be the best and most successful Russian-built fighter of the Cold War era.

The Ukrainian Air Force made its debut at the event in 1996 and has enjoyed a close relationship with the Air Tattoo ever since.

Alan Smith, Chairman of the RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises and the Air Tattoo, said: “We are delighted once more to be welcoming our friends from the Ukrainian Air Force, and we know they will have a great time at the Air Tattoo.”

E-tickets are available for both days of the airshow from the Air Tattoo website, www.airtattoo.com. Tickets will not be available at the gate but can still be bought, subject to availability, at branches of Barclays Bank, Little Chefs and at Tourist Information Centres.