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Ready for Bournemouth Air Festival take-off?

6:00am Thursday 20th August 2009 in


IT’S here! The long-awaited More Bus Bournemouth Air Festival begins today, kicking off four days of fantastic flying displays.

Up to one million people are expected to flock to Bournemouth seafront to witness the adrenaline-charged aerobatics of a wide variety of aircraft. From the Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to the antics of the Guinot wingwalkers and, of course, the amazing Red Arrows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, there is something for everyone.

This year’s event is even bigger and better, with the eagerly-anticipated return of the Vulcan bomber and the Eurofighter Typhoon. The evening entertainment has also been expanded and includes the Roar on the Shore on Thursday – a bid to set a new world record for the number of fireworks launched in a minute.

The town is also the focal point for the Fly Navy 100 Naval celebrations with two ships moored off-shore – the RFA Mounts Bay and minesweeper HMS Cattistock, plus there will be demonstrations from the Royal Marines Commando Display Team.

Festival director Jon Weaver said: “It really will be a great open day for the town, that’s the way we view it. It’s a tremendous investment for visitors and locals.”

On Thursday you can see the Sabre Jet, Royal Navy Black Cats helicopter display team, the Yakovlevs aerobatic team, Vulcan and the RAF Falcons parachute display team plus the Blades. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Guinot wingwalkers, Hawk T1 and King Air complete the line-up.

Friday sees the first of three eagerly-awaited displays by the Red Arrows and also offers the first chance to see, and hear, the mighty Eurofighter Typhoon.

Saturday will probably be the busiest day with the Red Arrows, the Avro Vulcan and the Eurofighter Typhoon all scheduled to appear.

The RAF Chinook, Swift Team, Sally B B-17 Flying Fortress, Kitty Hawk, Spitfire and Mustang will also be taking to the skies, while the Royal Marines will put on a beach assault. The air ambulance and a search and rescue demonstration complete the line-up.

Sunday offers the final chance to see the Red Arrows and the Royal Marines beach assault, plus all the other stars of the four days.

There has been an update to some flight times for Saturday and Sunday. Those who have bought an advance programme are advised to pick up an update of the timings from programme sellers and the tourist information centre. Programmes that are purchased on the day will already contain the update. The Sea Vixen has been withdrawn because the pilot is ill and an F86 Sabre and a Vampire T11 will take its place.

More Air Festival News


Comments(19)

ferret38 says...
6:28am Thu 20 Aug 09

Awesome , So looking forward to it taken the next few days off work :)

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TinyLegacy says...
7:36am Thu 20 Aug 09

Picture FAIL.

But that aside, i'm in small child mode. EXCITED!

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godzillareturns says...
7:42am Thu 20 Aug 09

I cant believe its a year since the last one, can't wait myself hope its a good as last year.

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TugasUK says...
8:06am Thu 20 Aug 09

My friends are coming from Portugal once more to see this Air Show. Unfortunately I had to tell the bad news that the RAF HARRIER won't be her as they expected to see. Anyway it seams a promising show and we are looking forward to see it.

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rook says...
9:12am Thu 20 Aug 09

Anyone know the details of what's flying when? Is there a link somewhere?

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finished says...
9:42am Thu 20 Aug 09

rook wrote:
Anyone know the details of what's flying when? Is there a link somewhere?
Try here: -

http://www.militarya
irshows.co.uk/ven19.
htm

Probably not up to date - but neither are the programs that were probably printed some time ago.

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green & gold says...
10:22am Thu 20 Aug 09

I have Friday off and I can't wait. Loved every minute of it last year and shall be down at the beach for the 3 days. Hope the weather holds and everybody behaves themselves and has a good time

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green & gold says...
10:23am Thu 20 Aug 09

I have Friday off and I can't wait. Loved every minute of it last year and shall be down at the beach for the 3 days. Hope the weather holds and everybody behaves themselves and has a good time

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Sam Shepherd says...
10:40am Thu 20 Aug 09

Hi folks - if you've got any questions about what's on when, come and ask us on the blog - we've got the latest info on the changes

http://www.bournemou
thecho.co.uk/bournem
outh_air_festival_20
09/blog/

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Andy D says...
10:55am Thu 20 Aug 09

Hi Sam,

The Echo says that the Vulcan will be doing a special flypast today at around 4.00pm. Is that true?

Thanks Andy

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Zzzz says...
10:58am Thu 20 Aug 09

Andy D wrote:
Hi Sam,

The Echo says that the Vulcan will be doing a special flypast today at around 4.00pm. Is that true?

Thanks Andy
According to Radio Solent this morning, yes. It's predicted to fly past at 4:03pm.

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Hurn08 says...
11:22am Thu 20 Aug 09

Yes, Vulcan flypast along the coast on its way to Dawlish on Thurs.
Looks an even better line up this year, with more old warbirds and jets flying.
Well done the B/mth organisers.
Brilliant, and the weather looks to be getting better too.

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ben111 says...
12:25pm Thu 20 Aug 09

has any one read the caption undr the picture at the top of the page ,,, as some one is blind

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ben111 says...
2:17pm Thu 20 Aug 09

they changed it

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David01 says...
3:35pm Thu 20 Aug 09

Can anyone tell me where they are all taking off from. Is it worth going down to Hurn to watch the take off's.

Thanks.

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Wimbourneflyer says...
5:44pm Thu 20 Aug 09

To be honest, the air festival is a bit of a bore, bar the red arrows.

Seen it once, seen it a million times.

Saw the bi-planes this afternoon. I yaaawned into a lazy afternoon.

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JoWebImages says...
6:53pm Thu 20 Aug 09

If anyone missed the Vulcan, there are a couple of shots on my Flickr Page - http://www.flickr.co
m/photos/jowebdesign
/sets/72157621970067
367/

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karateman1964 says...
9:43pm Thu 20 Aug 09

I remember going to Mildenhall Airshow a few times and Duxford..put a bit of a dampener to the Airshow at Southend..which was at the time the largest free Airshow in Europe.

It was fantastic watching the A10s and Rockwell Bomber taking off..now that was a fantastic plane.

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Pirate! says...
10:31am Fri 21 Aug 09

Ahoy!

Does anyone have or know of the timings for Saturday's Air Festival (start/finish)?

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