Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton Air Day 2016on Saturday 2 July will host a rare pair of restored WW2 fighters at the Royal Navy’s premier airshow. Joining RNAS Yeovilton’s resident historic naval aircraft, the UK’s only active Corsair and one of just three Seafires airworthy in the world will both perform solo displays and a joint flypast during Air Day’s five-hour flying display. Underlining naval airpower’s rapid evolution during WW2, these classic types will very much bring naval aviation heritage to life.

The powerful Corsair was in Fleet Air Arm (FAA) service between 1943 and 1947. Many examples equipped the British Pacific Fleet, the Royal Navy’s response to Japan during WW2’s final months. Painted to represent just such an aircraft, The Fighter Collection’s FG-1D Corsair will be making its first Air Day appearance in many years. Also in a British Pacific Fleet scheme, Air Leasing Ltd’sSeafireLFIIIc, which was originally built at the nearby Westland factory, is brand new to the show. Built in 1944 and, after a lengthy restoration, reflown in 2015, it is among the 2,000-plus ‘navalised Spitfires’ produced.

The Royal Navy Historic Flight based at RNAS Yeovilton will also be out in force at Air Day. Its Swordfish I, W5856, will perform in the flying display while its Swordfish II, LS326, plus its Sea Fury FB11, will be on static display. First flown in 1934, the Swordfish was already considered passé when WW2 broke out but on numerous occasionswon its spurs on operations staged thereafter. With its ‘Bismarck 75′ theme, Air Day will acknowledge a landmark Swordfish engagement thattook place 75 years ago during which examples helped sink the German Navy’s largest battleshipat the time – Bismarck. W5856 – Air Day’s flying Swordfish – wears an authentic 820 NAS scheme that directly represents one of these Bismarck attackers.

It was a later conflict, Korea, that saw the Sea Fury rise to prominence. Introduced in 1945, the Sea Fury was the FAA’s ultimate piston-engined fighter. While not currently flying, the RNHF’s Sea Fury FB11 will be just one of the static highlights for Air Day’s expected 40,000 visitors.

Further display team, fast jet and historic aircraft participation news will be announced in due course.Discounted advance tickets can be purchased at www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday.

Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton Air Day 2016’s first three participants have been announced. The Royal Air Force will be out in force, contributing the Red Arrows, the Typhoon FGR4 and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to the airshow’s fivehour flying programme on Saturday 2 July.

One of the world’s premier aerobatic teams, the RAF Red Arrows are now into their 53rd season. Always a fantastic spectacle, their display combining formation and opposition manoeuvres will surely draw all Air Day visitors’ eyes skywards once more. Led by Squadron Leader David Montenegro, 2016’s Red Arrows have two new team members on board: Flight Lieutenants Matt Masters (Red 2) and Si Taylor (Red 3).

The RAF’s Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 is among the most capable multirole fighters in service today. Its speed, agility and sheer presence will be showcased at Air Day by Flight Lieutenant Mark Long from No 29 (R) Squadron at RAF Coningsby. That same base is also the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s long-term home. Formed in 1957, the Flight operates in perpetual tribute to the men and machines of Summer 1940. Its Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane formation is among aviation’s most iconic sights.

Leading the flying display will be rare historic naval aircraft and their modern day counterparts in spectacular role demonstrations to acknowledgethe contribution Naval Aviation – Past, Present and Future has made to protect our nation’s interests.

Further display team, fast jet and historic aircraft participation news will be announced in due course. Discounted advance tickets can be purchased from www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday

The annual Royal Naval Air Station YeoviltonInternational Air Day in Somersetwill take place on Saturday 2 July. Planning is well under way for this popular airshow which will take ‘Naval Aviation – Past, Present & Future’ as its over-arching theme.

There will be a number of Fleet Air Arm milestones during the year and Air Day’s acknowledgement of these will include:

Bismarck 75 – The Swordfish, regarded as an obsolescent aircraft during WW2, participated in the pursuit and sinking of the German battleship Bismarck 75 years ago.

Lynx Farewell – The venerable Lynx maritime helicopters which will be out of service in March 2017 will be making their last appearance, and a fitting one, in front of their home crowd at Air Day.

Tomorrow’s Fleet Air Arm – Air Day will provide an insight into what the future holds for the Fleet Air Arm. The next five years are indeed exciting times as the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth prepares to enter service. This will mark the return of the Royal Navy’s carrier strike capabilities as well as providing another helicopter assault ship platform.

Over five hours of flying displays and an extensive static display will featurehistoric naval aircraft and their modern day counterparts in spectacular role demonstrations to acknowledge the Fleet Air Arm’s contribution to Protecting Our Nation’s Interests. Invitations have also been sent out to other UK and foreign military formation and solo display teams to participate at the airshow.

The flying display might be Air Day’s centrepiece but there will also be a huge array of ground attractions. From engineering fairs to the latest defence technology exhibitions and Service displays to trade stalls and arena displays. For the thrill seekers – simulators, fairground rides and helicopter pleasure flights cannot fail to excite.

Air Day tickets are now available to order at a discounted ‘Earlybird’ rate with no booking fees from http://www.store.yeoviltonairday.co.uk for a limited period. These are priced lower than the usual advance tickets which will go on general sale in the New Year.

With only a few days to go, the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset is all set to open its gates to 35,000 visitors for its annual International Air Day. As one of the South West’s most notable single-day events, having been staged most years since 1947, it promises to be another entertaining, informative and unforgettable day out for families and enthusiasts alike.

On 18 June 1940, RNAS Yeovilton was commissioned as HMS Heron. Initially, the Air Station was a base for training naval aviators and fighter controllers. Since then, it has witnessed the significant evolution of fixed-wing carrier aviation from propellers to jets, supported frontline squadrons in major operations worldwide and is today the home of the Commando Helicopter Force and Lynx Wildcat Maritime Force.

RNAS Yeovilton’s 75th anniversary will be the main focus for this year’s event. Types representing naval aviation past, present and future will feature in the show’s static displays and in the action-packed five-hour flying display, alongside a host of other aircraft, vintage and modern, slow and fast, military and civilian. It will also be a show of ‘firsts’ and ‘lasts’ with some aircraft making their final appearance and others their debut at Air Day.

Air Day will also be supporting AgustaWestland’s 100th anniversary. The Yeovil-based company has the strongest of links to RNAS Yeovilton, via both its nearby location and its ongoing provision of helicopters (and, before them, aircraft) used by the resident squadrons.

With so much to see at Air Day 2015, in the air and on the ground, here is a list of highlights not to be missed:

• RNAS Yeovilton’s 75th Anniversary Celebrations – Memories of a bygone era will be relived with displays from historic naval aircraft types that resided at RNAS Yeovilton. These include the Royal Navy Historic Flight’s Swordfish W5856 making its first public display since 2003; very rare examples of the Sea Hurricane and Seafire and the world’s sole airworthy Sea Vixen. The static display features two former fleet defence aircraft – the mighty Phantom FG1 and the game-changing Sea Harrier FA2.

• Vulcan XH558’s Last Air Day Appearance – In its final display season, the ‘Spirit of Great Britain’ will perform its own magnificent routine as well as take part in an exclusive special ‘V-Jet Formation’ flypast with the Sea Vixen and two Vampires. ‘Underwing’ guided tours, once it’s back on the ground, will also be available.

• The Revolutionary AgustaWestland AW609 – The world’s first civilian tiltrotor aircraft will give its first public display at a UK military Airshow. The state-of-the-art AW609 spearheads AgustaWestland’s 100th anniversary commemoration. A special section of Air Day’s static display will feature many of its most famous and successful designs to commemorate the firm’s centenary.

• Commando Sea King’s Last Assault – This year’s Commando Assault demonstration will be one of firsts and lasts, with the Commando Helicopter Force’s outgoing Sea King HC4s performing alongside its replacement Merlin HC3s. At least 14 aircraft are expected to take part including a pair of Apache AH1s.

• The French Navy’s Role Demonstration – Involving two examples each of its Rafale M and Super Etendard carrier-launched fighters, an intensely powerful setpiece is in prospect for this UK debut. Months away from retirement, the Super Etendards are making their last appearance at an airshow in this country.

• Fastest Ever Field Gun Crew – A full programme of Arena & Hangar Displays will feature HMS Heron’s Brickwood Trophy winning 2015 Field Gun Champions. In winning the title they also beat the record for the fastest time by a Field Gun Crew. The world famous Band of HM Royal Marines will also be performing in the Arena.

• World-class International Display Teams – A triple line-up featuring the RAF Red Arrows plus past Air Day award-winners the Royal Jordanian Falcons and the Spanish Air Force’s Patrulla Águila who are also celebrating their 30th anniversary year.

• The Norwegian Air Force Historical Flight’s MiG-15 – A UK airshow flying display debut for this classic Cold War fighter of Korean War fame. A jet engine aircraft type that was famously shot down by a piston engine Royal Navy Sea Fury during the conflict. Both aircraft types will also be on static display side by side.

• Wings & Wheels – Alongside the large array of static aircraft on display Air Day’s ever popular vehicle exhibition will feature a range of classic cars, ‘supercars’, military vehicles and motorbikes. Key exhibits include Bumblebee and KITT – the four-wheeled stars of Transformers and Knight Rider.

• US Air Force Returns – Two A-10 Thunderbolt close air support combat aircraft and a huge C-17 Globemaster transporter are set to be the most popular participants on static display. See these modern day airpower icons up-close as the USAF participates in Air Day for the first time in eight years.

• Europe’s Largest Collection of Naval Aircraft – Air Day visitors can take advantage of half-price entry to the Fleet Air Arm Museum. Take a unique look at the Royal Navy’s proud aviation heritage and experience life on an aircraft carrier. All show visitors can redeem this offer on the day or up until 31 December 2015.

Ticket information can be found at www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday or by calling the Ticketline on 0330 100 3656.

The Avro Vulcan’s final appearance at RNAS Yeovilton Air Day on Saturday 11 July will include a special ‘V-Jet Formation’ flypast. The famed ‘V-Bomber’ will be joined by Naval Aviation Ltd’s de Havilland Sea Vixen and the Norwegian Air Force Historical Flight’s two de Havilland Vampires to present a unique four-ship classic British jets flight. While the Vulcan and Sea Vixen’s joint flypasts were an outstanding highlight of Air Day 2011, the expanded formation will be a unique spectacle with the Sea Vixen leading the Vulcan with a Vampire on each wing.

The Vampire and the Sea Vixen each played a major role in post-war Royal Naval aviation development, the full story of which RNAS Yeovilton has seen unfold over the last 75 years. With its pioneering aircraft carrier landings, the Vampire paved the way for all naval jet operations which followed.

The Sea Vixen was, upon entering service, the Fleet Air Arm’s biggest and heaviest type ship-launched asset. Recalling the times when Sea Vixens were based at RNAS Yeovilton, ‘Foxy Lady’ – the world’s only airworthy example – is a similarly appropriate inclusion. Its current markings are those of 899 Naval Air Squadron, replicating its exact look when based at RNAS Yeovilton during its Fleet Air Arm service days.

The thunderous, iconic Vulcan has participated in the majority of Air Days staged since its return to flight in late 2007. While its Air Day farewell will be a sad occasion for many, this exclusive classic jets link-up will give the Vulcan a magnificent send-off.

Online and phone advance ticket booking deadline is Tuesday 7 July. Tickets are also available over the counter from participating Tourist Information Centres until 5pm Friday 10 July. Further information available at www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday.

Aircraft illustrating RNAS Yeovilton’s earliest days and Anglo-Italian helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland’s hi-tech future will underline Air Day’s two main anniversary themes. Separated by decades of history, each type will have a starring role in Air Day’s five-plus hour flying display on Saturday 11 July.

Exactly 75 years ago, on 18 June 1940, RNAS Yeovilton was commissioned as HMS Heron. Hawker Sea Hurricanes were among the first aircraft to be subsequently based here and a very rare surviving example is set to take part in the flying display at Air Day. The Shuttleworth Collection’s Hawker Sea Hurricane 1b Z7015 was built in 1939 and equipped the Royal Navy’s 801 and 880 Naval Air Squadrons between 1941 and 1942. Both of these squadrons were based at RNAS Yeovilton during that same period, making Z7015 a very likely former resident. Its involvement in Air Day will represent a homecoming for one of the UK’s display scene’s most cherished warbirds. Besides the Sea Hurricane, other historic fixed wing naval aircraft helping Air Day celebrate RNAS Yeovilton’s past 75 years include the Avro XIX, Swordfish, Seafire, Sea Fury, Sea Vixen, Phantom and Sea Harrier.

AgustaWestland was founded in 1915 as the Westland Aircraft Works and thus celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2015. The firm’s state-of-the-art AW609 TiltRotor will perform for the very first time in the UK at a public military airshow as part of Air Day’s AgustaWestland centenary line-up: a real Air Day coup. The AW609, the world’s first civil tiltrotor aircraft, can hover like a helicopter and fly as fast and high as a fixed wing turboprop aircraft due to its tilting rotors and is set to revolutionise the rotorcraft market..

Additional AgustaWestland anniversary participants will include preserved examples of the Wasp, Scout, Sioux, Whirlwind and Gazelle, plus QinetiQ’s A109E research helicopter. Air Day will also offer one last opportunity to see the Westland-built Sea King helicopter’s Commando and search and rescue variants in action over RNAS Yeovilton before their forthcoming retirement.

A full list of participants, further information and discounted advance tickets are available from www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday

World-leading combat aircraft from four nations will showcase the sharp end of NATO air power at RNAS Yeovilton Air Day on 11 July. Both the flying and static displays will feature frontline assets which, combined with other attending types, will make this year’s Air Day a thoroughly international affair.

One of Air Day’s most significant international contributions comes from the French Navy, showcasing their carrier based fast jet aircraft. Never before seen in this country, its four-ship role demo, comprising pairs of Super Etendard strike fighters and Rafale M multirole fighters, will be an intense and thrilling spectacle for the show’s anticipated 35,000-plus visitors. Due for retirement in 2016, the Super Etendard will likely have its last UK showing. Its replacement, the supremely agile Rafale, was among the three key European jet fighter projects developed during the 1980s and 1990s. An example of another, the RAF’s Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 multirole fighter, will spear through the sky in its special colour scheme applied to mark the Battle of Britain’s 75th anniversary.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole fighter is of a previous generation but, through various upgrades, remains at the leading edge of modern-day air power. The Royal Norwegian Air Force was among the F-16’s original European operators and two of the air arm’s F-16s will make a rare UK appearance in Air Day’s static display.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II close air-support aircraft is of the same era but remains a similarly potent part of NATO’s inventory. The United States Air Force, which now rarely participates in overseas airshows, is sending two A-10s for the static display, along with a supporting C-17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft.

A full list of participants, further information and discounted advance tickets are available from www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday

From the mighty Avro Vulcan to the feisty MiG-15, classic jet aircraft will be out in force at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton International Air Day on Saturday 11 July. Several will help mark the show’s key theme celebrating RNAS Yeovilton’s 75th anniversary, none more so than the world’s only flying Sea Vixen, based here since September 2014. The former fleet defence fighter in its 899 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) markings will surely take many visitors back to when the Sea Vixen’s unmistakable shape speared regularly through the Somerset skies.

Canberras and Hunters also became a familiar sight over the county and there will be an example of each performing a joint flying display at Air Day. Designed as a bomber, the Canberra became latterly a photo reconnaissance platform and this example is, like the Sea Vixen, globally-unique. In their very smart silver colour scheme, both jets represent British post-war aviation technology at its classiest.

Representing RNAS Yeovilton’s thunderous ‘70s era – the muscular and potent F-4K Phantom FG1 in its newly-applied 892 NAS markings will be on static display. Two examples of the legendary Sea Harrier FA2 will also be on the ground representing the Air Station’s last frontline fixed wing squadrons.

One of the star attractions will be a MiG-15, belonging to the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron, making a rare appearance in the flying display. The Cold War classic jet fighter will be the first of its kind to display in this country since the late-1990s. The MiG-15 is well known for its role in the Korean War and engaging Royal Navy Sea Furies where remarkably on one such occasion the piston-engined aircraft gained superiority over the jet.

Finally, in what truly might be its swansong season, Avro Vulcan XH558 is returning to give yet another hugely powerful account of itself. The much loved and strongly supported V-Bomber, named ‘Spirit of Great Britain’, will perform a ground shaking flying display and be present on the ground for guided ‘under-wing’ tours, perhaps for the last time ever at Yeovilton.

Advance tickets priced at £20 (adults) and £6 (children 5-15 yrs) are available to order from www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday.

World-class display teams from three nations will headline RNAS Yeovilton Air Day’s flying display on 11 July. Joining the RAF Red Arrows are the Spanish Air Force’s Patrulla Águila and the Royal Jordanian Falcons – just part of the international line-up planned to wow visitors to the show.

Patrulla Águila were formed in 1985, so are this year marking their 30th anniversary. The team’s last UK performance was at RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2010, at which it won the best overall flying display award. Equipped with seven Spanish-built CASA 101 Aviojet training aircraft, Águila’s very smooth routine includes several manoeuvres performed by no other team including an impressive formation landing.

The spectacular Royal Jordanian Falcons were formed in 1976 and perform with four Extra EA300L unlimited aerobatic aircraft. Their mixture of slick precision formation flying and dazzling solo aerobatics has made them an enduring and highly popular airshow act and they have been great supporters of Air Day in recent years.

Having completed their 50th display season last year the Royal Air Force Red Arrows will be sporting a very striking tail design on their nine BAe Hawk T1 jet trainers. The globally-renowned Red Arrows will once more demonstrate their supreme flying skills in the Somerset skies when they perform at Air Day 2015.

Advance tickets priced at £20 (adults) and £6 (children 5-15 yrs) are available to order from www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday.

Northern Europe’s only flying MiG-15 will be making a rare UK appearance in the flying display at RNAS Yeovilton International Air Day 2015 on Saturday 11 July. The Cold War classic jet fighter belonging to the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron will be the first of its kind to display in this country since the late-1990s.

In all, more than 18,000 MiG-15s were constructed, mainly by the Soviet Union, but also some among them were Polish-built variants of which the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron’s example is one. It wears the markings of the aircraft flown by famed Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin before he became the first man to visit outer space in 1961.

Given the shared border between north-eastern Norway and Russia, and the many encounters between Royal Norwegian Air Force and Soviet aircraft during the Cold War, the MiG-15 is an appropriate addition to the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron as a representative of the-then Cold War ‘enemy’.

The MiG-15 is also well known for its role in the Korean War – a conflict which involved Royal Navy operated Hawker Sea Furies. Piloted by Lieutenant Peter ‘Hoagy’ Carmichael, one such Sea Fury FB11 made history when it downed a MiG-15; one of the very few times when a piston-engined aircraft has gained superiority over a jet.

The Royal Navy Historic Flight based at RNAS Yeovilton operates two Sea Furies including an FB11 fighter-bomber variant which will be taking part in the static display. Air Day visitors will thus have the very rare opportunity to see both Korean War types at the show.

Advance tickets priced at £20 (adults) and £6 (children 5-15 yrs) are available to order from www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday.