BLUSTERY Bournemouth may have been plagued with westerly winds but visitors to the first day of the town’s Air Festival were more than blown away by the daring displays of aerobatic excellence on show.

Despite the windy weather preventing two scheduled appearances by the RAF Falcons parachute team and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from going ahead, disappointment was soon swept aside once the rest of the programme began with a vengeance.

Although the weather forecast may have threatened rain showers, the weather gods were smiling upon the crowded beach as the clouds parted just in time for the first appearance of the day by the Sabre Jet, which was swiftly followed by a lone Royal Navy Black Cat Lynx helicopter ducking and diving its way from Boscombe to Bournemouth piers.

With awesome agile displays by the growling Yakovlevs leaving a long trail of smoke after their formations as well as the Hunter and Hawk, who roared into action, the jam-packed schedule was soon wowing the crowds.

Wing-walking girls not deterred by the strong gusts took to the skies, performed a feat of different poses as they perched on top of the 1940’s Boeing Stearmen biplanes wowing the crowds as they moved out of their harnesses to sit on the leading edge of the wing directly above the propeller at 100mph.

But for many people the highlight of the sunny afternoon was the bonus appearance of the Avro Vulcan, which roared past the awe-struck crowds congregating on the beaches.

The fly-past by the historic and much-loved aircraft provided a brief taste of what was to come over the weekend, leaving the spectators hungry for more. With the ducking and diving Blades performing a host of loops, rolls and signature moves to round off the afternoon, the weekend looks set to be a soaring success.