Those magnificent men in their flying machines set to fill the skies over Shropshire
The skies over Shropshire are set to be filled with the sights and sounds of aircraft past and present on Sunday.
The annual RAF Cosford Airshow is one of the highlights in the county’s summer calendar and attracts crowds from across the region.
This year is set to be no different with a full programme of flying and static displays headlined by the RAF aerobatic display team, the Red Arrowsm, and the iconic Supermarine Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Bringing the display right up to date – and contrasting sharply from the frontline fighter of 70 years ago – the new Typhoon will also be flying, while there will also be a display from the Chinook HC4 helicopter of 18 (B) Squadron.
The RAF Falcons parachute display team will be dropping in, while an Apache AH1 helicopter from the Army Air Corps will also be appearing.
Giving the afternoon something of an international flavour, there will be flying displays from the Swiss air force and a Tornado belong to the Italian Air Force.
The US Air Force will be sending in the big guns with flypasts from the B52 Stratofortress and the B-1 Lancer.
Also appearing will be, weather permitting, a Hawker Hurricane, P-51 Mustang and the famous Sally B B-17 Flying Fortress.
Organisers have said that due to recent changes in display flying regulations, the Red Arrows and the Typhoon will both be performing their flying displays on an alternative display axis away from the crowds.
This will enable them to both perform their full displays to the west of the airfield.
However, to accommodate this, a small section of the A464 will have to be closed to traffic between 1.45-2.45pm on Sunday. A diversion will be signposted.
On the ground, the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Hangar is being sponsored by the RAF Charitable Trust and is set to be one of the highlights of the afternoon.
There will be a series of immersive experiences and the chance to jump out of a plane, have a go at flying a fast jet or take part in an air race.
Justine Morton, RAF Charitable Trust director, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the STEM Hangar at the RAF Cosford Air Show, it showcases the diverse range of opportunities available within the fields and encourages all ages to get hands on and take part.”
Other ground displays include the Space Hangar, which will be demonstrating the advancement in Space Technology and how the UK has been at the forefront of the development.
Organisers have urged people planning on visiting the show to buy their tickets in advance as they will not be able to purchase tickets on the gate.
Further details are available at the event’s website – www.cosfordairshow.co.uk.
Those planning on visiting the show have also been warned that the sheer volume of people is likely to mean traffic delays getting in and out of the base, so drivers have been advised to allow extra time for their journeys.
