RAF Red Arrows Source: MoD
World famous aircraft past and present will fill the skies over Nottingham on 29 June to mark the fifth Armed Forces Day national event taking place in the city, Vigilance can report.
An MoD source said Kicking off the celebrations would be the Red Arrows, performing in their 49th display season, flying over Nottingham as the Armed Forces Day parade marches through the city centre. Based nearby at Royal Air Force Scampton in Lincolnshire, the Red Arrows will fly the formation shape “Lancaster”, named after the iconic aircraft flown by 617 Squadron during the daring Dambusters raid 70 years ago, the source added.
Current and historic craft from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force will fly over both the city centre, where the Armed Forces Day parade and drumhead service will take place, and over Victoria Embankment, where a whole day of entertainment and activities are being planned.
Vigilance learnt that throughout the afternoon visitors would get the chance to see a variety of aircraft in the skies, including the famous Lancaster, Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota of the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. From the Royal Navy Historic Flight there will be two World War II craft, a Sea Fury and Swordfish. Representing today’s air power are Royal Air Force Typhoons, and a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter, all contributing to a spectacular air show for Nottingham.
In addition, during the afternoon’s celebrations members of the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team will parachute into Victoria Embankment, mounting a colourful aerial display for which they are famous.
Red Arrows Squadron Leader Jim Turner, otherwise known as ‘Red 1’ and the team leader for the flypast, said: "Displaying in Nottingham on Armed Forces Day is both an honour and a pleasure for the team who are first and foremost Servicemen, all of whom have flown in operational combat tours overseas.”
Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at Nottingham City Council added: “Nottingham is incredibly proud to host the 2013 national Armed Forces Day celebrations. Visitors will be wowed by special appearances from some very famous aircraft. The air show is part of a spectacular programme of events and activities we’ve got planned, we hope to see people of all ages enjoying this unmissable event.”