|
|
|
|
This
year’s RAF Cosford Air Show, which will
see dozens of aircraft and spectacular aerobatic
teams entertaining more than 50,000 spectators,
will be held on June 13, 2010.
Article contnues below...
|
|
Preparations for the annual event at
RAF Cosford on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border are now
under way with the line-up for a five-hour flying display
currently being finalised.
The Battle of Britain Memorial
Flight
|
The shortlist ranges
from historic planes to modern aerobatic entertainment
and this year’s event is set to be extra special
as all involved mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle
of Britain.
The annual show features the only RAF flying display
in the Midlands and one of only a handful nationwide.
Every display is built round the regular appearance
of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight of Lancaster
bomber, Spitfire and Hurricane.
The rest of the programme ranges from pre-war machines
to the latest combat aircraft like the Typhoon.
|
Norman Branagh, Air Show Co-ordinator,
said: “2010 is the 70th anniversary of the Battle of
Britain and we intend to theme a lot of the
entertainment to mark this very special anniversary.
“The plan is to bring back the
displays that the visitors know and enjoy but also add in
a few more to make this year’s display better than ever
before.”
The RAF Red Arrows team will not be appearing at this year’s
Cosford Air Show following an accident during pre-season training
in Crete.
The Red Arrows accident on March 23,
which involved a collision between two of the Hawk aircraft,
has meant training for the pilots has been delayed and the
team will not be ready to perform until after Cosford Air
Show which takes place on June 13.
Bosses of the show expressed their disappointment at the news
but said the line-up for this year’s Battle of Britain
anniversary event would see a vast array of aircraft entertaining
the crowds – including a number of top aerobatic teams.
Wing Commander Nick Lea said: “The
focus of this year’s show will be the aircraft that
fought in the Battle of Britain and their modern day counterparts
so although it is a great shame the Red Arrows cannot be here
for 2010 it is fortunate that this is a year where the displays
are extra special and performances from current aircraft lined
up will blow the crowds away.”
A spokesman for the Red Arrows team
today said Flight Lieutenant Mike Ling, Red 6 Synchro Leader,
who successfully ejected from his aircraft following the March
accident, sustained injuries that mean he will be unable to
fly in the 2010 display season. Flight Lieutenant Ling, in
his third and final year with the Team, is in the UK undergoing
treatment for his injuries. He is expected to make a full
recovery and will play an active role on the ground during
the 2010 display season, before he returns to operational
flying in due course.
No Red Arrows at the 2010 RAF
Cosford Air Show
|
Cosford Air Show
is renowned for the exposure it provides for historic
aircraft but there will be no shortage of amazing feats
from the modern flyers – with the Falcons freefall
parachute team also lined up to drop in.
As well as the excitement in the
air visitors will also be able to enjoy a wide variety
of entertainment on the ground with a fun fair, craft
fair, market and aircraft exhibitions.
And the Large Model Association
will also be entertaining the crowds with an aircraft
display.
The Association is an international body dedicated to
creating flying models driven by petrol or jet engines.
The RAF Museum is also included in the gate price and
parking is free.
|
Tickets for the show are available
at Royal Air Force Museum at Cosford, Tourist Information
Centres in Birmingham (Rotunda), Stafford (Gatehouse Theatre)
and Stoke (Victoria Hall), the special air show ticket line
on 0871 230 1083, and an internet booking service at www.seetickets.com.
(Special Events; Air Shows; RAF Cosford).
Tickets will also be available from
Midland branches of the Mid Counties Co-Operative Society
from March 1, 2010.
Full information on the show can
be seen on the air show web site – cosfordairshow.co.uk
– or is available on the show information line at 0844
561 1897.
|
