THE Red Arrows brought the sun out on day two of the Bournemouth Air Festival.

With many spectators privately fearing the worst, after a morning of gusty winds, rain showers and low cloud, the RAF jet fighter aces couldn’t have timed their afternoon display any better.

As they approached the beach in tight formation, right on cue, the first blue skies of the afternoon broke through.

Earlier, the skilled pilots of the Royal Navy’s Black Cats helicopter display team had started proceedings, followed by the Swiss Air Force Super Puma helicopter.

Both teams performed in tough display conditions, with blustery winds and low visibility - a fact well appreciated by the spectators who gathered on the beach and clifftops.

Visitor Marcus Salcombe told the Echo: “I love these chopper pilots, they come out in all weathers. It is almost like a sign of respect to the crowds, if we’re out here in the wind and rain, they’re going up...fantastic.”

The Royal Navy showed another impressive presence with a small flotilla of ships anchored off the coast. Those spectators who braved the morning’s weather were thrilled to see the navy and Royal Marines practice their beach assault, which should take place for real - well as real as you can get.

Black Cats’ Lt Sammy Rebbeck explained: “We have a number of sensors on the aircraft we can use to help us find and identify a pirate camp, which will be the scenario.

“We have a really powerful camera which we can use to search the beach.”

The Black Cats’ Wildcat Helicopters will also be deploying Royal Marines, by fast rope, onto one of the Royal Navy vessels in Bournemouth Bay, simulating an attack.

Squadron Leader Mike Ling, who as Red 10 is the voice of the Red Arrows on the ground, said the pilots are normally well aware of the crowds at Bournemouth.

“It is mind blowing actually, gets the old hairs on the back of your neck standing up."

After the Arrows thrilled the crowds, displays from the B-17 Sally B, The Blades, the RAF Typhoon and the Fireflies carried on the momentum.

The weather had grounded a number of aircraft, notably the Royal Navy Swordfish and the Spitfires, Lancaster and Dakota.

However, rounding off the afternoon display - which ran a little later because of the weather - was an appearance from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Hurricane fighter.

Sadly, conditions were a little too harsh for the wingwalkers and the two parachute display teams - the Red Devils and the Tigers - leaving all three having to cancel. But they’ll be anxious to show their stuff during the rest of the four-day event.

Speaking to the Echo after the morning pilots’ briefing, Mark Cutmore - team leader of The Blades - said: “I am very proud to be bringing The Blades here for what is our ninth year.

“Bournemouth is a lovely place to display.

“The fifteen minutes goes so quickly, there is no real time to dwell.

“It is not like Top Gun when they say ‘Yee Haa’ after every manoeuvre.

Tonight Festival Director Jon Weaver said: “It’s been a fantastic end to Air Festival Friday! Despite the initial weather predictions, we’re delighted to have been able to put on a packed flying display programme.

"Those who turned up earlier in the day were treated to a demonstration of an amphibious assault on the beach by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines where a hostage was rescued under fire.

"In spite of rain and low cloud, the Royal Navy were still able to activate RM reservists, two Wildcat helicopters, a Merlin, simulated naval gunfire from type 23 frigate HMS Monmouth, close-in support from the mine counting measures vessel HMS Grimsby and RM off-shore raiding craft.

"The sun and crowds came out just in time for a programme of afternoon flying displays which kicked off with the RN Black Cats and continued with the Swiss Super Pumas, Xtreme Air XA41, Sally B, Blades, Typhoon, Fireflies and the Hurricane flying as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.”

Throughout the day thousands of people visited the Royal Navy Village, the British Army Village and the host of other attractions along the beachfront, the Lower Gardens and Bournemouth Square.

See all our Air Festival coverage in our dedicated section at bournemouthecho.co.uk/air