LAST year's Bournemouth Air Festival will simply be remembered as the near-perfect event.

The Red Arrows were back to full strength, the weather was flawless and almost everything flew to schedule.

Bournemouth Air Festival 2013 in pictures

The Typhoon was the big hit as it roared back into town, afterburners alight, and the event was hailed as the best ever, breaking records for the town.

Estimates reckoned that 1.3 million headed to the event over the four days.

Organisers, pilots and punters alike were glowing with praise.

You can see all our picture galleries from last year here

Alas, the only downside was technical troubles, once again, putting paid to what was supposed to be a finale performance by the Vulcan on the final day.

But it failed to dampen the spirits of what was hailed by all as the best yet. Can this year's event top it? We'll find out in four days time...