60,000 people expected at Cosford Air Show

About 60,000 people are anticipated to flock this year's event on June 11.

Organisers revealed what will be in store for visitors at an official launch event.

They have also announced their aspirations to expand the show in future years, with plans to move to a two-day event.

Wing Commander Chris Jones, chairman of Cosford Air Show, said: "Our aim is to improve public understanding of the service in order to maximise support for the RAF and its activities.

"It is an amazing show. We have four themes this year. I'm really looking forward to seeing smiley faces.

"I'm really keen for the public to see our young trainees who will be our best ambassadors on the day.

"We do have aspirations in the future to do a two-day show. We will be posing that after this year's air show."

A huge amount of planning has been put into this year's event, with 2,000 people having a role to play in the organisation.

The show will include a series of displays such as the world famous Red Arrows, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and the Breitling Wingwalkers.

The RAF Falcons and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will also form part of a six-hour flying display.

Meanwhile, the Tucano T1 and Squirrel HT1 will be among the aircraft on static display.

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) hangar will once again be a focal point of the show and bosses say it will also become a permanent feature at RAF Cosford.

Group Captain Mark Hunt, station commander at RAF Cosford, said: "The STEM experience at the air show is superbly interactive.

"Members of the public can get hands-on experience of state-of-the-art military technologies and learn more about exciting education and career opportunities.

"Expect a spectacular show, better than last year."

Space will be one of four themes for the show, with a hangar displaying the advancement of space technology.

Battlefield support will be another theme and a special ground display will showcase assets from the RAF in a mock-up forward operating base.

Support helicopters will also be on display, including the Belgian Air Force's NH90 tactical transport helicopter, which is capable of carrying up to 20 fully equipped soldiers and their equipment.

Air show operations manager, Peter Reoch, said: "The new forward operating base display is shaping up really well and we think it'll be a must-see attraction for all our visitors on the day. "We are still talking with a number of overseas Air Arms who hope to provide helicopters for display in the area alongside those already confirmed such as the NH90."

Other themes to this year's show include international co-operation and the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

There will also be a vintage village with a 1960s theme, with attractions set to include classic Mini displays, cockpit sections of 1960s aircraft and a vintage tea room.

Sergeant Chris Moss, a mechanical technician based at RAF Wittering in Peterborough, will be displaying his 1997 Mini Cooper Sport at the event.

He said: "I've been to the air show several times but never to display my car. I'm part of the RAF Mini Club. "The air show usually has a brilliant atmosphere and is very busy.

"I'm looking forward to displaying my car this year and enjoying it as a family day out as well."

Acting pilot officer Will Woodhouse, from the University of Birmingham Air Squadron, will be looking after air crews on the day.

He said: "I think it's a brilliant event. It's a great day out for the whole family.

"There are displays, aircraft, stands, tents and swarms of people.

"There's a huge atmosphere. It's amazing."

Tickets cost £25 and are available from www.cosfordairshow.co.uk and the RAF Museum at Cosford.

Admission is free for under 16s accompanied by an adult.

Money raised from the air show will support the RAF Association, RAF Benevolent Fund, RAF Charitable Trust and RAF Museum.

The event has raised £1 million for the charities over the past five years.