Planes flock to RAF Cosford for air show

The first aircraft will be flying into RAF Cosford tomorrow ready for Cosford Air Show on Sunday.

The airfield will be busy for most of Saturday with more arrivals and practices ready for Sunday.

Early arrivals will include the Belgian Air Force Agusta 109 and the RAF Tucano, as well as some of the planes on static display or those needing to practice their routines or get it checked by the flying display committee.

The first live display on Sunday will be the Jaguar taxi and then, from about 10.45am, the large model aircraft will be flying.

These scale models perform a variety of aerobatics. And the exciting line-up for the main show will open with the RAF Falcons parachute display team who are expected to arrive at about noon.

Assistant flying display director, Master Aircrew Chas McHugh, said: "This year sees the largest static display and longest flying display of any Cosford Air Show for years."

The flying display is expected to continue until almost 6pm and highlights include the Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Sea Fury and Swordfish from the Royal Navy Historic Flight.

The Royal Air Force operational and training aircraft are well represented with Tornado, Typhoon, Tutor, Tucano, King Air, Sea King and the VC10 all appearing.

As well as the Red Arrows, the Aerostars in their Yak 50s, and the Blades, flown by ex-Red Arrows pilots, will both be performing their stunning routines.

And this year's event is also set to include role demonstrations by some of the participating aircraft, giving the public a taste of their normal operational activities.

Among the highlights will be the Sea King Search and Rescue helicopter and the RAF Mountain Rescue Team demonstrating how they work together, other demos include the Army Air Corps Apache and the RAF Tornados and their pyrotechnics.

Details, including all participating aircraft are on www.cosfordairshow.co.uk