RAF sends high-flying displays to airshow

A firm favourite returning for 2019 will be the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, consisting this year of a Hurricane, Spitfire and Lancaster bomber.

The trio of Second World War planes will appear on both days of the airshow, which takes place on August 22 and 23.

Flown by regular serving RAF pilots, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aims to preserve the heritage of the service and commemorate all those who have lost their lives while serving in the RAF.

In contrast to the historic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Typhoon fighter jet is still in active service with the RAF.

The fast jet, always a crowd pleaser due to the noisy roar of its engines, will appear on the second day of the airshow.

While it has been used in military attacks, the primary role of the Typhoon is as a quick-reaction defensive jet, and it remains on top alert at stations across the world to scramble and escort foreign military aircraft while policing airspace.

Completing the line-up of RAF planes at Clacton Airshow is the Tucano, appearing on both days of the airshow.

Being withdrawn from service at the end of 2019 following its use for more than 30 years as a training plane for fast-jet pilots, the Tucano has long served its purpose of getting new pilots up-to-scratch in an aerial combat environment.

Alex Porter, cabinet member for leisure and tourism at Tendring Council, which runs the Clacton Airshow, said he was pleased to see the strong RAF presence.

“For more than 100 years now the RAF has existed to protect us from aerial attack, and support our armed forces on land and at sea, and I am glad the service will be well-represented at this year’s Clacton Airshow,” he said.

“Each RAF flight brings something different to the display – from the historic wonder of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, to the noise of the Typhoon and excitement of the aerobatic Tucano.”

Previously announced flights for this year’s airshow include The Blades.