Plane crash hits Welshpool event
A plane that was due to be the start attraction at an upcoming air show has been damaged in a crash.
The De Havilland Sea Vixen flew from Royal Navy aircraft carriers in the 1960s and 70s.
There is just one surviving example to be seen in the skies, based in Yeovil in Somerset, which was due to appear at the Bob Jones Memorial Air Show in Welshpool 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 no longer be appearing in Welshpool on June 11.
Robert Robinson, Welshpool Town Clerk,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 disappointed 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.
Tickets for the event are £10 for adults.
Visitors can buy advance tickets for just £8.80.
The advance price is available by booking online on the airshow website, www.welshpoolairshow.co.uk/ or by calling into Welshpool Tourist Information Centre in the town.
