Major attraction for Welshpool air show grounded after crash
A plane that was due to be a major attraction at the forthcoming Bob Jones Memorial Air Show in Welshpool has been damaged in a crash.
The De Havilland Sea Vixen, that flew from Royal Navy aircraft carriers in the 1960s and 70s, will no longer appear at show after being damaged in an accident.
But there was some good news for the air show organisers after the Red Arrows confirmed they would make an appearance.
The De Havilland, based in Yeovil in Somerset, was due to appear at the show next month.
But after appearing at the Duxford Air Show in Cambridgeshire at the weekend, it hit the ground at its base without its landing gear. The pilot was unharmed but the plane suffered major damage and will not appear at Welshpool on June 11.
Welshpool Town Clerk Robert Robinson, who organises the event, said a replacement aircraft – a Bronco – would be flying in to take part.
“The main thing is that the pilot was not injured,” he said. “It is disappointing but visitors will be able to see the Bronco which is apparently a wonderful aircraft.”
“We have had some great news this week in the Red Arrows confirmation that they will be making an appearance. The Red Arrows are always a huge favourite with visitors to our show.”
Mr Robinson said he was hoping for good weather for this year’s event.
“Last year we operated at a loss as we had to cover the cost of new safety regulations for air shows and we were hit by bad weather.”
The Sea Vixen is an unusually configured aircraft that first flew in 1951. It was the first British two-seat aircraft to break the sound barrier when it achieved Mach speed in a dive during its operational testing phase in the early 1950s.
The aircraft was gifted to Naval Aviation Ltd in September 2014 and now operates from the Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton.
This year’s Welshpool Air Show not only includes displays in the skies but also a transport festival with a wide range of exhibits of classic and vintage cars, motorbikes, buses and industrial vehicles.
The Red Devils freefall parachute display team will be in action and there will also be helicopter rides among the attractions.
For ticket information go to welshpoolairshow.co.uk or call in to Welshpool Tourist Information Centre.
