Midlands Air Festival reveals final Platinum Jubilee spectacular line up
Midlands Air Festival has revealed the final line up of incredible performances, unique special shape hot air balloons, helicopters, aerobatics and jets that will create an action packed, three-day event in the beautiful grounds of Ragley Hall Estate from 2nd – 4th June 2022.
The RAF Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, will be headlining the event with three full sensational, nail biting and exhilarating performances, showcasing precise formations with their wingtips just a few feet apart. The RAF Red Arrows will perform a stunning full display on each day of the show. These performances by the RAF Red Arrows will be the very first three displays of their season to complete our Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
RAF Displays and aircraft at the show
The mighty Avro Lancaster from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial flight will make it’s first appearance at the event, accompanied by an escort of a Spitfire and Hurricane, both key fighters in the Battle of Britain. Also confirmed is the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team, the UK’s premier mass military parachute display team.
Rounding up the contribution from the RAF is the Grob Tutor. This aircraft is used to provide air experience flights and elementary flight training for University Squadrons, RAF Cadets and entry level pilots.
The dazzling air display programme will include formation aerobatics from Team Raven in their new six aircraft routine, the mighty B17 Flying Fortress ‘Sally B’, the awesome Catalina Flying boat, the Rolls Royce Heritage flight Spitfire And Mustang, Strikemaster classic jet pair, the rare Vampire fighter jet, the amazing Gyroplane, the Turbulent flying circus team, from Belgium the Bronco ground attack turbo prop, aerial ballet, commemorating the Falklands conflict will be the Westland Wasp helicopter, aerobatics, the Tiger Nine team with 9 tiger moth bi planes and more.
Trevor Graham, Midlands Air Festival flying director, said;
“We are absolutely thrilled with the line up and want to welcome back our loyal supporters, enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Visitors do not need to be experts, even those who have never been to an aviation event before will be amazed. This year’s show will have a real celebratory feel to it and will be the perfect place to mark the Platinum Jubilee.”
Largest gathering of hot air balloons in the UK
The impressive collection of hot air balloons and airships will include 200 multi-coloured giant balloons and feature the largest collection of special shaped character balloons in Europe. Across the three days of the festival, there will be an opportunity to see hot air balloon displays, both tethered and mass ascents. On Friday and Saturday evenings the mass ascents will offer a breathtaking experience to close the show.
Thursday will start with an afternoon air display then feature the famous and captivating ‘Nightfire’ display against the dark night sky. The illuminated display aircraft will trail fireworks and sparkles from their wings and ‘Nightfire’ will also join the national jubilee celebrations by firing their version of a beacon at 9.45pm set to the national anthem in line with all major cities in the UK. This will be followed by the balloon night glow with the balloons firing their burners and lighting up their balloons, choreographed to music, then a massive firework finale, making Thursday an exciting afternoon and evening of entertainment to start the festival.
Following on from the highly succesfull touring Van Gogh exhibition, art lovers will be able to the majestic Van Gogh head special shape balloon, depicting the famous ‘Self Portrait with Grey Felt Hat’ artwork in a truly three dimensional and very larger-than-life way – a must-see for any lover of the artist!
Other new giant special character balloons this year include Tropsy the friendly dinosaur and Funny Bunny the rabbit. Much loved favourites also featured at the show include Platinum Jubilee specials The Guardsman and military balloons, alongside two Bertie Bassetts liquorice allsorts balloon, Action Man, the massive Scottish Piper, Dolly the Sheep, The Panther and many more, all standing well over 100ft high! This will be the largest gathering of hot air balloons in the UK with more than 200 featuring at the show.
On the ground there will be the extensive Rolls Royce STEM unit to encourage careers in engineering and technology, food and drink options to suits all tastes, children’s entertainment to keep the little ones happy, music from the legendary 1950’s band the Uproars and many trade stalls.
Tickets are available for purchase as 1-day, 2-day and 3-day passes through the Midlands Air Festival website. Camping and glamping packages can also be purchased for those wanting to stay on site and make the most of the event. The event is free to attend for children under 13 years old when accompanied by a paying adult.
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www.midlandsairfestival.com