Historic planes – and a helicopter – will join the action in the skies at this year’s Clacton Airshow; including new flights.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has already been announced for this year’s event, taking place on 24-25 August – but it will not just be the RAF flying, with the Royal Navy also be represented.
The Navy Wings Heritage Flight will bring two aircraft to display, with a flight by a Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber, and a Westland Wasp anti-submarine helicopter.
Past members of the Fleet Air Arm, the biplane Swordfish – capable of landing and launching from aircraft carriers – was used before and during the Second World War for reconnaissance and naval attack.
Meanwhile the Wasp entered frontline service in 1964 and was involved in combat including the Falklands War, before being phased out by 1988.
An American warplane will also join the celebration in the skies above Clacton with the return of a Mustang, an American fighter plane flown in operations across Europe in the Second World War.
Completing the line-up of historic planes will be another Rolls Royce Supermarine Spitfire, capable of a top speed of 450mph.
Ivan Henderson, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism at Tendring District Council – which runs Clacton Airshow – said the older aircraft would add some nostalgia to the event.
“The older warplanes add a certain something to the displays, as we can marvel at the feats they performed during their time on active service,” Cllr Henderson said.
“In particular I’m excited to see the Fairey Swordfish, a plane which outlived its planned replacements to keep operations going during the Second World War, and to marvel at the nimbleness of the Wasp – a new addition the line-up for this 30th anniversary year of the Clacton Airshow.”
The Rolls Royce Spitfire and Mustang display is sponsored by MRL Productions, while LocaliQ sponsor the Navy Wings Swordfish and Wasp display.
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.
The RAF Red Arrows have also already been announced as part of the 2023 Clacton Airshow line-up, and further flights will be revealed in the coming weeks.
For updates and more information people should visit www.clactonairshow.com, follow @clactonairshow on Twitter, or go to the official Facebook page.