A SERIES of debutants will take centre stage at this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival.

Alongside vintage aircraft, two parachute teams, aerobatics and night air pyrotechnics, the Saab Draken from Sweden and Canadair T-33 Silver Star will be displaying for the first time.

The former was the first fully supersonic aircraft to be deployed in Western Europe.

Both powerful aircraft will be joined at the event by the RAF Typhoon, which is taking part for the first time since 2016.

Another new addition sees the Ultimate Warbird Flights showcasing their dog-fighting skills in the Bournemouth skies in a collection of aircraft, including a Hispano Buchon, Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire and Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.

Last seen in 2016, the full Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) line-up, featuring the iconic Lancaster alongside Hurricane and Spitfire, will also be displaying on all four days.

This year’s event is set to see more aircraft taking flight than ever before.

Jon Weaver, BCP Council air festival director, said: “We can’t wait for the festival – we have worked really hard on the line-up for 2019.

“It’s international and loud, everything festival goers love and ask us for year after year.

“We’ve programmed four days of great, free entertainment for residents and visitors and we hope everyone has a great time.”

David Bailey, chairman of the Tourism Industry’s Destination Management Board for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, said: “This is an important festival not only for Bournemouth but for the rest of the conurbation. This year it is estimated to generate in excess of £20million to the local economy, as part of an annual tourism spend of more than £1.2 billion.”

As reported by the Daily Echo, the Red Arrows will not be returning for this year’s festival as they are completing a landmark tour of North America.

However, dozens of other planes will take to the skies for the 12th Bournemouth Air Festival, which takes place from Thursday, August 29, until Sunday, September 1.

Other highlights include:

  • Night Air displays featuring the Fireflies, Red Devils Parachute Team and Brendan O’Brien will be piloting Otto the Helicopter.
  • Super Pitts Muscle Plane, piloted by flying ace Rich Goodwin returns for a second year.
  • Tigers Parachute Display Team.
  • The RAF Chinook.
  • On land, between Bournemouth and Boscombe Pier there will be a host of country show trading sites, activation areas and military villages.
  • Live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, with fireworks on Friday and Saturday.

For more details visit bournemouthair.co.uk or follow the team on social media #bmthairfest