RAF centenary to be focus for biggest-ever Cosford Air Show

Organisers say it will be bigger and better than ever before, with six hours of flying from some of the most recognisable planes in the world.

For the first time the air show will also feature four themed villages, each of them exploring a different era of the 100 years of the RAF.

From the very first planes used by the service through to the high-tech jets of today, 100 static planes will be on show across the museum, one for each year the air force has existed.

There will also be a range of road vehicles on display, from military Jeeps to customised Minis.

The show will be held in June but was launched yesterday with an event attended by dignitaries and special guests that included Benidorm star John Challis, who lives near Ludlow and is an ambassador for the Cosford-based Midlands Air Ambulance.

Wing Commander Mike Cook, this year’s Air Show chairman, said: “We’re celebrating as a service our 100th year, and we have the great honour of being one of the gold events for the RAF100 calendar.

“That means we get to put on what we think is a bigger and better show this year, and we’re very excited about what we’re hoping to achieve.

“RAF100 is a way to commemorate the individuals and events through history that we are proud of as a service.

“We’re celebrating the men and women that make up the Royal Air Force today.

“And we’d also like to inspire, promoting to the young people of today science, engineering, maths and technology.”

As well as giving spectators a chance to see fantastic air displays, this year’s show is trying something different to previous shows.

The four villages will celebrate the last century of the RAF.

Thousands of guests will be able to explore zones based on Policing the Empire, The War Years, An Age of Uncertainty and the New Millennium.

Each zone will include re-enactments and activities, as well as planes from each era.

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Group Captain Tone Baker, RAF Cosford station commander said: “It’s a massive privilege for me to be station commander here in the RAF’s 100th year and to get to be part of the Cosford Air Show.”

“In the early 80s my parents brought me to RAF Cosford to see my first air show. It is that moment that I decided I wanted to be involved in aviation and wanted to join the Royal Air Force. I’ve got so much to thank for the Cosford Air Show, so there’s no doubt that being back here for the 100th year will be fantastic.”

The show will take place on June 10.

For more information or to buy tickets visit cosfordairshow.co.uk