Firework displays shot from a helicopter, parachute jumps, Sunseeker stunts, and of course the Red Arrows- spectators saw it all at this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival.

Thousands of people flocked to the seaside this weekend for the finale of an epic four-day showcase of Britain’s finest aircrafts at the Bournemouth Air Festival.

Crowds were treated to entertainment across Thursday to Sunday, in a particularly special event rebranded as the Platinum Jubilee Bournemouth Air Festival to mark the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

Appearances from air show favourites including the Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers, the RAF Chinook, and of course the Red Arrows, ensured jam-packed afternoons and evenings.

But it was as much land and sea as it was air, and on Saturday, crowds were treated to a new and spectacular Sunseeker stunt.

For the first time, the popular Muscle Plane took on a Sunseeker power boat in the bay, leaving spectators in awe as they watched from the beach and cliff tops.

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Pilot Rich Goodwin defeated the power boat in a race in the bay before completing his breath-taking, and dramatic, performance.

Speaking to the Daily Echo on Sunday, Rich Goodwin said: “We’ve done a few practice runs of this challenge. Sometimes I win, sometimes the boat wins. It’s not overly competitive.

"I was a little disappointed I didn’t get to stand on a podium on Saturday with a bottle of Champagne - I’m waiting for Sunseeker to sort that out.”

The well-loved Red Arrows drew in huge crowds as expected, leaving people stunned with their daring acrobatics high in the sky.

Although their weekend didn’t kick off quite to plan as on Thursday their opening performance was cut short when Red 6 reported engine concerns which resulted in the Hawk T1 X7 being escorted back to Bournemouth Airport.

A Red Arrows representative apologised over the speaker system to the thousands on Bournemouth beach hoping for a longer display, but said he hoped they would understand how the decision was taken for the safety of the whole team.

Read more: 'It looks like an articulated lorry, but it flies like a sports car'

The team returned on Friday and Saturday for full displays as a seven, wowing the crowds with their breathtaking manoeuvres and jaw dropping stunts.

Some further technical issues on Sunday saw the team display as a six.

Sunday saw some changes to the schedule with the Hurricane, Spitfire and Lancaster having to withdraw. And the Tigers Army Parachute Team also had to drop out of the schedule due to the windy condition.

Speaking to the Daily Echo on Sunday, their team leader Frank Millerick said about their earlier displays: “You get amazing views, especially at night. It's a different perspective.

Read more: Fans have chance to meet popular pilots at Air Festival meet and greet

"You see all the roads lit up and they look like almost like veins.”

Frank was one of many air show stars to sing the festival's praises, joining the pilot of the popular OTTO the helicopter, Brendan O'Brien, who said Bournemouth is now “one of the great air shows” in the UK.

Despite the odd technical hiccup, the Bournemouth Air Festival can certainly claim the crown of success for 2022. We can't wait for next year.