BOURNEMOUTH Air Festival organisers are promising to bring history to life in a way never before seen at the event.

Although, as reported, the Bournemouth-based Sea Vixen has had to pull out, there will still be plenty in the skies with buckets of history when the festival kicks off on Thursday.

And, for the first time ever as the event enters its fifth year, there will be all the drama of a battle and rescue in the North Sea recreated at Bournemouth seafront.

Festival air display director Ian Sheeley has put together the performance, which recreates events that unfolded in the North Sea in 1944, involving a Catalina, a downed airman, a Messerschmitt 109, Spitfire and Mustang.

It will also feature an original Royal Navy WWII Sea Rescue launcher. The vessel taking part also participated in the Queens Jubilee River Pageant.

Air Festival director Jon Weaver said: “This is certainly a first for the air festival – history will be told and history will be made.”

During WW2 the 0A-10A Catalina aircraft was known affectionately as Miss Pick Up because of her mission of preserving life, whether allied or enemy. Owners of the Catalina, Plane Sailing, have recreated the saucy Miss Pick Up image on the aircraft for the event.

Rachel Morris from Plane Sailing said: “We’re delighted to be performing at this year’s festival and even more to be involved in the historic re-enactment that commemorates the brave crew who flew the original Miss Pick Up.

“We’re proud to operate the Catalina in tribute to the unsung heroes of search and rescue.”

History fans will also once again be able to enjoy the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, featuring the Spitfire, Lancaster and Hurricane.

Also on show again will be the colourful Miss Demeanour jet, which was lovingly restored at Bournemouth Airport and has become a quick favourite since her debut in 2010.

Organisers hope to find a vintage jet to replace the Sea Vixen, which has struggled to get back in the air after its nose wheel collapsed on landing at Bournemouth Airport in April.

Jon added: “As regular festival-goers know changes can and do always happen to the display and night air programme.

“We also get some fantastic surprises and we have a few up our sleeve which we hope will come to fruition and are looking forward to the Red Arrows opening the show on Thursday at 3pm.”

Buy your very own brochure

Brochures are available from the Tourist Information Centre in Westover Road, the Daily Echo offices and at retail outlets. They cost £6, which includes a charity wristband. £1 from each sale will go to the festival's charities - the Jon Egging Trust, Hounds for Heroes and the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity. Each comes with a unique code allowing access to a website. with timetable changes.