An aircraft identical to that flown by the infamous ace German fighter pilot the Red Baron is set to thrill crowds at the Battle of Britain Airshow.The Baron, real name Manfred von Richtofen, was the scourge of allied forces during the First World War and is credited with 80 combat victories.

The last 20 of those aerial duels were carried out in a Fokker Dr.1 Dreidecker triplane, and a replica of the machine will take to the skies at the airshow, which takes place at Cotswold Airport on September 17 and 18.

It will be joined by an old adversary in the Sopwith triplane, as well as iconic aircraft from the Second World War, such as the Spitfires and Lancaster of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF).

Richthofen was eventually shot down and killed near Amiens, France, on April 21, 1918, but his legend has lived on and his aerial prowess has been the subject of numerous films, books and documentaries.

Event operations manager Glen Moreman said: “Although the event clearly commemorates the Battle of Britain, it will be fantastic to see two amazing aircraft from an even earlier era in the skies above the Cotswolds.

“The Red Baron is undoubtedly one of the most famous pilots in history and we’re sure the display of an aircraft identical to the one he flew will really capture the imagination.”

In addition to the triplanes and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Tiger Nine Tiger Moth display team, the RedHawks aerobatic duo, and the South Cerney-based Renegades parachute team will be among the star attractions.

An AN2 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.

There will also be more than 100 classic vehicles, including around 40 vintage Bentleys, and around 50 military vehicles on display.
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: “We’re delighted that more local businesses will be involved this year and showing exactly what the Cotswolds has to offer.

“Of course, the more the merrier, and if anyone still wishes to take part, we would be delighted to hear from them.”

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; 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.

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.

Visitors to the Battle of Britain Airshow are being offered the rare opportunity of a flight in a vintage airliner.The event, at Cotswold Airport, on September 17 and 18, will feature some of the most iconic aircraft of the Second World War, including the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster of the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF).

However, crowds will also get the chance to take to the skies themselves, courtesy of Classic Flight and its beautifully restored de Havilland Dragon Rapide.

The 1940s-built twin-engined airliner was one of the most successful British commercial short-haul passenger aircraft of its time.

And Classic Flight will be offering pleasure flights throughout the airshow weekend.

Event operations manager Glen Moreman said: “The Dragon Rapide is a beautiful aircraft and a flight will surely live long in anyone’s memory.

“Classic Flight have been to Cotswold Airport on several occasions and we’re delighted to be welcoming the Dragon Rapide back and offering visitors a fantastic opportunity.”

In addition to the Dragon Rapide, Cotswold Airport-based HH Helicopters will be offering pleasure flights.

Crowds will also get the chance to visit the various flying clubs and organisations on-site, which specialise in everything from flying lessons to Top Gun aerial combat experiences.

Other performers will include the Tiger Nine Tiger Moth display team and the South Cerney-based Renegades parachute team.

An AN2 – the world’s largest single-engined biplane – and a Chipmunk will also take to the skies.

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: “We’ve already had a great response from local businesses and are extremely keen to attract even more participation from the surrounding community.

“We want to show everyone exactly what the Cotswolds has to offer, as well as provide an event that caters for all the family.”

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, Cirencesrer; 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

Royal Air Force Kemble opened in 1938 as part of the RAF’s ‘expansion plan’, which concentrated on training and maintenance bases.

It has been used for aviation activities ever since and was home to the world-famous Red Arrows display team during the 1980s, who were a regular sight in the skies above the south Cotswolds, practicing up to four times a day.

The airport’s current owner, Ronan Harvey, operated the airfield on behalf of the Ministry of Defence for five years, before purchasing it outright in 2001.

His aim was to maintain the site’s use as an active airfield and safeguard its rich heritage, while at the same time encouraging both local and international businesses to base themselves at Kemble – a move which has created hundreds of jobs in the local community,

Today, the site, which is known as Cotswold Airport and is licenced by the Civil Aviation Authority, is home to dozens of businesses, flying clubs and a thriving restaurant.

The airport stages a host of events, including the hugely popular annual Cotswold Airshow, Vintage Flying Weekend, Race for Life, and Mobility Show – the biggest UK show devoted to mobility for the disabled.

In addition, the airport has very strong ties with the local community, offering an aviation scholarship scheme to young pilots, engineers and would-be traffic controllers.

The airport also raises thousands of pounds for charities and worthy causes, including the RAF Benevolent Fund.

The most iconic aircraft of the Second World War will take to the skies in a moving tribute at the Battle of Britain Air Show and festival, at Cotswold Airport.The Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster of the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) are set to play the starring role at this year’s show, on September 17 and 18.

Unlike previous years, when the event was a pure airshow, the 2011 event will also feature a steam 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: “Last year’s event was a sell out and we want to build on that huge success and create a real festival atmosphere.

“As always, we want to ensure the show is a fitting tribute to all those who fought so gallantly for our freedom in the Second World War.

“But we also want local people to become more involved and really feel like an integral part of the event.”

The BoB Airshow will also commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire and the BBMF are one again set to thrill the crowds.

The flight, based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, serves as a flying tribute to the many courageous pilots, some still in their teens, who took to the skies against an enemy German air force that had vastly superior numbers of aircraft.

Along with Europe’s only flying Lancaster bomber, the flight operates no less than five Supermarine Spitfires of various marks (one of which actually fought in the Battle of Britain), two Hawker Hurricanes and a Dakota.

Other performers will include the Tiger Nine Tiger Moth display team and the South Cerney-based Renegades parachute team.

An AN2, Dragon Rapide and a Chipmunk, representing the airport-based fly2help charity, will also take to the skies.

Event operations manager Glen Moreman said: “It’s always a delight to see the BBMF return to the skies above the Cotswolds and this year’s show has added significance in that it marks a true milestone for the Spitfire.

“We’ve got a beautiful setting here at Cotswold Airport and, because the BoB Airshow will be based on the north side, around the control tower, it gives the event a very intimate and atmospheric feel.”

Cotswold Airport will continue to support the charities fly2help and the RAF Benevolent Fund during the weekend of the show.

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); from the following Tourist Information Centres: Cheltenham, Chippenham, Cirencester, Corsham, Malmesbury, Stroud, Swindon, Tetbury, Warminster, Bath, Bourton-on-the-Water, Melksham, Trowbridge, Gloucester, Tewkesbury; from The Crown public house, Cirencester; and via telephone 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.