Roaring engines from classic war planes will be part of the performance at this year’s Clacton Airshow.
Joining the line-up for this year’s event, taking place on 25-26 August, is the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – due to bring the iconic Second World War planes an Avro Lancaster, a Supermarine Spitfire, and a Hawker Hurricane to the Airshow.
The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – whose appearance at the Clacton Airshow is sponsored by BeFibre – is operated by regular RAF aircrew and acts as a ‘museum without walls’. It maintains and flies six Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Lancaster, a C47 Dakota as well as two Chipmunk aircraft for training.
The Royal Navy will also be represented at the Airshow, with a flight by a Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber. Capable of landing and launching from aircraft carriers this biplane, flown by the Navy Wings Heritage Flight, formed part of the Fleet Air Arm and was used before and during the Second World War for reconnaissance and naval attack. This flight is sponsored by Rose Builders Ltd.
Alex Porter, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism at Tendring District Council – which runs Clacton Airshow – said the older aircraft brought a different aspect to the event.
“These older models may look quite different compared to the sleek jets of the RAF Red Arrows, but they are a fascinating piece of our history and a wonder to behold,” Cllr Porter said.
“The rumbling of the Lancaster engines is unmistakable and not to be missed; while it is also great to see the Royal Navy represented with the Swordfish, a slow-moving but capable aircraft.”
Also unveiled on the flight programme for this year is a Mark XIX Supermarine Spitfire, built as a reconnaissance and meteorological aircraft capable of a top speed of 446mph, with this display sponsored by LocalIQ.
Completing the Second World War flight line-up is a P51 Mustang, an American fighter plane flown by the famous Tuskegee Airmen in operations across Europe in the Second World War – and the model still bears the battle scars from its action, with bullet and puncture repairs visible.
Radio Airshow from BBC Essex will once again broadcast live from Clacton Airshow on 103.5FM and BBC Sounds for flight fans who cannot make it down to enjoy the event in person. Those who are travelling to the event can make use of the Park and Ride service from Hedingham Buses or the event car park run by the Clacton-on-Sea Rotary Club at West Road.
Previously announced flights for the 2022 Clacton Airshow include the RAF Red Arrows, sponsored by LightSpeed Broadband, the Pitts Special muscle biplanes, and the Slingsby T67 Firefly, as well as the twilight display made up of Otto the helicopter, the Firebirds, and the Tigers Army Parachute Display Team, sponsored by Fisher Jones Greenwood Solicitors.