6 June 2014
The Red Arrows will top the bill at Biggin Hill’s inaugural Festival of Flight at the airport on Saturday 14 June.
Returning to the airfield where they performed their first public display in the UK in May 1965, the 2014 team of nine BAE Hawk jets led by Squadron Leader Jim Turner will fly a full display for Festival spectators to mark the launch of its 50th display season.
The team will be based at Biggin Hill throughout the day and the pilots will join the ceremonial cutting of a special cake that is being specially baked for the milestone anniversary.
Supporting items in the air include the daring crews of the Breitling Team of wingwalkers with their Stearman biplanes; the Blades aerobatic team directed by former Red Arrows team leader Andy Offer and three other former team members.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be flying, also a Spitfire will stage an aerial dogfight with Messerschmitt Bf 109 of the wartime Luftwaffe. The well-known Boeing B17 Flying Fortress will also be making a flying appearance. A Hurricane and Spitfire of the home-based Heritage Hangar will be taking to the
air to display during the afternoon.
On the ground, Motointernational stunt display team will have cars, quadbikes and motorcycle team displays performing in the Arena.
A static aircraft park comprising many historic and well known types from the Shipping & Airlines stable will be on show.
The Heritage Hangar will have a static display of some famous warbirds under restoration and the flying clubs based at Biggin Hill will have staff explaining the requirements of flying training, about their facilities and how to become a pilot.
Food and drink marquees will promote the Best of British. Gates open at 1200. Flying and ground activities will provide non-stop entertainment throughout the afternoon into the early evening.
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