The eighth Bournemouth Air Festival takes place later this week. If you're heading to the event for the first time, then here's our round-up of things not to miss.

For information on where to park to what to bring, check out our essential guide 

For all our Air Festival coverage, see our dedicated section at bournemouthecho.co.uk/air

Been before? then we haven't forgotten about you. We've also included things you may not have seen whether it's your second or eighth time. 

Don't forget to enter our Air Festival photo competition - you could win a new camera!

The Red Arrows

Bournemouth Echo: Check out all our pictures from day four of the Bournemouth Air Festival 2014 on Sunday, August 31. Picture by Richard Crease.

An Air Festival favourite that's on everyone's 'must see' list but if you've never seen the Red Arrows, you're in for a treat. The world famous aerobatic team will be once again be appearing on all four days of the Air Festival so you'll get to see the gravity-defying stunts whichever day you visit. Look out for their heart formation. See flying times

The Vulcan

Bournemouth Echo: Check out all our pictures from day four of the Bournemouth Air Festival 2014 on Sunday, August 31. Picture by Richard Crease

Nothing can prepare you for the sight of the Vulcan majesticly swooping over Bournemouth seafront. The iconic Cold War-era bomber is a very popular attraction and is currently only due to appear on Sunday. Tip: if you're coming on Sunday, arrive early to claim your space on the beach. 

Eurofighter Typhoon

Bournemouth Echo:

Prepare your ears for the deafening sound of the Eurofighter Typhoon that's set to boom around Bournemouth. Look out for its glowing afterburners as it soars through the skies. Little ones may need ear protectors as this beast is noisy. Listen:

 

Chinook

Bournemouth Echo:

The mighty Chinook is so much more than a transport helicopter and you'll be surprised as you watch it pull off maneuvres you didn't think it was capable of. 

The Red Devils Parachute Display Team

Bournemouth Echo:

If you thought the Air Festival was all about planes then think again. The Red Devils Parachute Display Team are set to dazzle once again as part of Night Air. Watch as they fall through the skies with sparks trailling behind before they land on the beach. 

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Bournemouth Echo:

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which pays tribute to the brave airmen of World War Two, will once again be taking to the skies and is a sight to behold. The Lancaster is out-of-action following a mid-flight engine fire but the Spitfire, Dakota and Hurricane will still be appearing. 

Sea Vixen

Bournemouth Echo:

The distinctive twin boom-tailed jet fighter that called Bournemouth home for more than a decade returns. The De havilland DN110 Sea Vixen FAW is the only airworthy example of her kind in the world. One of last year's Air Festival highlights was when the Sea Vixen flew alongside the Canberra and the Miss Demeanour in a heritage flypast. 

And if you've been to the Air Festival before 

Been to the Air Festival before? Then here are four things that are either new for this year or that you may not have seen previously. 

Hawk T2 Role Demo team 

Bournemouth Echo:

The Hawk T2 Role Demo team will be making their Bournemouth Air Festival debut, flying as a pair for the first time. Recognisable as the jets used by the Reds, the Hawk is a key part of training for all RAF pilots as they work towards becoming fully-qualified. The T2 team is the public face of Number 4 Flying Training School and the aim is to demonstrate how that training is carried out.

Aerosparx

Bournemouth Echo: New Aerobatic team added to Night Air line-up

A new aerobatic team is set to help light up the skies as part of this year's Night Air programme. Aerosparx brings together world-renowned pilots Guy Westgate and Tim Dews flying in Grob109 motorgliders, known for their use in RAF training on account of their large wings, which provide an impressive level of glide performance, and excellent landing control.

Boscombe Fireworks

Bournemouth Echo: The fireworks

Bournemouth isn't the only place where the action is happening. There will be a free fireworks display at Boscombe Pier on Friday night at 10pm. 

Royal Marines concert 

Bournemouth Echo:

Flags at the ready. For the first time, The Band of HM Royal Marines Collingwood will be performing a full-scale proms-style show at the Boscombe stage on the first night of the four-day event, Thursday, August 20. Tickets for the show are £15 per head and organisers are aiming to raise £10,000 through ticket sale contributions for service charities benefitting from the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund (RMCTF). Visit bhlivetickets.co.uk.

The Matador and Patrouille Reva

Bournemouth Echo:

Last seen in 2011, French aerobatic team Patrouille Reva, supported by the Daily Echo, will return to Bournemouth along with the Matadors Aerobatic Team. The Red Bull Matadors recently broke a world record by flying two planes through a hangar at 185mph just a metre off the ground.