A top aerobatic display team has been revealed as part of the line up for this year’s Clacton Airshow.
Team RaVen sponsored by Be-Fibre, is a band of six highly experienced pilots flying Vans RV-8s will perform at the event, which is celebrating its 30th year and takes place on 24 and 25 August. Flying together since 2014, the pilots – which include former RAF fast jet pilots – use the self-built planes’ power-to-weight ratio and strong climb rate to pull off astonishing procedures.
Joining the programme at the 30th Clacton Airshow is a new display for the event, the Beech D17 Staggerwing Pair; aircraft intended when first flown in 1932 as executive transport, and whose name comes from the unusual biplane design with the upper wings set slightly behind the lower ones. Fisher Jones Greenwood sponsor this display at the Airshow.
Ivan Henderson, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism at Tendring District Council – which runs Clacton Airshow – said the team displays were always fascinating to watch.
“When you have a team display there is so much going on you hardly know where to look with so much skill and precision on show from the formation flying to the daring manoeuvres,” Cllr Henderson said.
“Team RaVen were a big hit last year and I am sure will be welcomed back to the Clacton Airshow again this month.”
Also announced as part of the 2023 Clacton Airshow line-up is the OV-10B Bronco, an agile and aerobatic turbojet counter-insurgency aircraft used throughout the Cold War and during the first Gulf War and brought to the event by the Bronco Demo Team.
Two training aircraft are also on the flight programme, with the fully aerobatic Slingsby T67 Firefly displaying in its distinctive yellow and black high visibility colour scheme, and the RAF Grob Tutor T1 which replaced the Firefly at elementary flying school.
And a bonus flight announced joining the existing historic aircraft line-up is the Hawker Fury, a piston engine fighter developed in late 1944 which was largely superseded by jet planes but which did see service in the Royal Navy during the Korean War.
Previously announced flights include the RAF Red Arrows, RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and a twilight display on the Thursday evening.
Cllr Henderson added: “We have got a superb flying programme for the 30th edition of the Clacton Airshow, with planes of all shapes, sizes, speeds and noises providing a veritable feast for the eyes and ears of all the spectators who come along.
“So if you’ve not yet made your plans for this year’s Clacton Airshow, what are you waiting for?
“When you come, please consider buying a programme and donating to support this fantastic event – all funds raised help to pay for displays and the Airshow overall.”
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, as well as additional rail services provided by Greater Anglia.
For updates and more information people should visit www.clactonairshow.com, follow @clactonairshow on Twitter, or go to the official Facebook event.