IS IT A BIRD, IS IT A PLANE? OF COURSE IT’S TORBAY AIRSHOW
Your essential guide to Torbay Airshow 2017 Including travel advice, display schedules and top airshow tips
Torbay Council & Kier Group
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PAUL JOHNSO
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
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Legendary Red Arrows will be highlight of Torbay Airshow 2017
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Torbay Airshow returns on Saturday June 3 and Sunday June 4 for an action packed weekend filled with magnificent flying displays. Highlights of the air show include the world’s premier aerobatic team The Red Arrows making the first appearance of their season with a brand new routine. Joining them will be The Blades, the recently crowned champions of the first World Formation Aerobatic Championships held in China this year. The Blades are a full-time civilian aerobatic display team based in the UK made up entirely of former RAF Red Arrows pilots. Huge iconic aircraft taking to the skies include the Royal Air Force’s Typhoon FGR4 as well as Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft, which includes the highly anticipated aircraft of yesteryear - the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire. In addition, visitors can witness incredible displays from:
■ The Tigers Freefall Parachute Display Team ■ Team Raven Aerobatic Display Team ■ Percival Provost ■ Strikemaster ■ Former British Female Aerobatic Champion Lauren Richardson in her Pitts Special S1-S ■ World aerobatic competitor Gerald Cooper in his Xtreme XA41 ■ Autogyro ■ PBY5A Catalina seaplane ■ Chinook
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Wednesday, May 31, 2017
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Air Display Programme SATURDAY 2pm until 3pm Tigers Freefall Parachute Display Team Team Raven (presented by Francis Clarke) Percival Provost Strikemaster 3pm until 4pm Red Arrows Lauren Richardson in her Pitts Special S1-S Gerald Cooper in his Xtreme XA41 4pm until 5pm Autogyro Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Catalina Typhoon FGR4
SUNDAY Tigers Freefall Parachute Display Team
LEE ANDREWS
2pm until 3pm Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Team Raven Tigers Freefall Parachute Display Team 3pm until 4pm Red Arrows Percival Provost Strikemaster Catalina 4pm until 5pm Autogyro Lauren Richardson in her Pitts Special S1-S Gerald Cooper in his Xtreme XA41 Chinook Typhoon FGR4
Autogyro
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Top 5 things not to be missed 1. The chance to win an iconic piece of history Don’t miss the chance to win an Aston Martin Vanquish S Red Arrows car – the spectacular car, Red 10 is a unique tribute to the RAF Red Arrows and all funds from the raffle will go directly to the RAF Benevolent Fund, supporting RAF personnel past and present and their families.
2. Climb aboard the HMS Somerset HMS Somerset will be visiting the bay for the weekend, docked up in Torquay Harbour offering air show visitors the chance to climb onboard and experience a Royal Navy Frigate up close.
3. The AutoGyro display made famous by James Bond Make sure to catch the AutoGyro flying display, also known as a Gyrocopter or Gyroplane, which is described as a flying windmill or a rotating parachute which looks like a sycamore seed gently floating down as it spins. The famous Autogyro featured in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice, where Sean Connery’s stunt pilot flew a WA-116s named Little Nellie.
4. The Red Arrows first display of the season Grab a good spot on Paignton Green to catch the Red Arrows first display of the season. Following an intense training period of pre-season training know as ‘Exercise Springhawk’, the world’s premier aerobatic team will be performing their brand new routine that you will be able to catch for the first time at Torbay Airshow.
5. Family Fly By Hospitality
The Blades
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For families looking to upgrade their day out, the Family Fly By in partnership with Francis Clark and Inter-Line offers the opportunity to enjoy the airshow with a secure location for children to be entertained, toilets, dedicated bar and designated seating area. Get your tickets from www.torbayair show.com/hospitality.
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Wednesday, May 31, 2017
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Travel advice BY BUS There will be an additional capacity on the bus services in and out of Paignton across the event weekend. Details of all the local bus services operators can be accessed via www.torbay.gov.uk/bus BY TRAIN The closest stop to the Airshow Village is Paignton which is served by Cross Country Trains, GWR and Dartmouth Steam Railway and is just a six minute walk away. Cross Country and GWR will be providing extra capacity over the weekend, whilst the steam railway will run their usual timetable to and from Kingswear. Details of all the local train operators can be accessed via www.torbay.gov.uk/rail BY BIKE Signed cycle parking will be located adjacent to Paignton Green. BY STEAM RAILWAY & BOAT Please visit www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk or call 01803 555872 for a timetable of services BY CAR Entry to the Torbay Airshow is free but to guarantee a parking space please pre book your car parking online ahead of the event. Car parking can be booked through the website www.torbayairshow.com for £10 per vehicle. The Park and Ride service at Broadsands will be available throughout the airshow weekend for £10 per day. BY FERRY We Ferry and Paignton Pleasure Cruises will be running services from Brixham and Torquay every 30 minutes throughout the festival weekend. Details of the local ferry service operators can be accessed via www.torbay.gov.uk/ferry
Team Raven
Activities for all the family at the Event Village OPEN from midday over the event weekend the Torbay Airshow Event Village will feature exhibition stands, bars, food stalls, display teams, activities for all the family and a fairground. Aspiring aeronauts will have the opportunity to take a ride in a flight simulator and test their metal as an RAF pilot, as well as get the chance to meet the display pilots themselves at the various Royal Air Force stands. For those who favour the sea over the sky, HMS Somerset will be visiting the bay and will be offering Airshow visitors the chance to climb on board and experience a Royal Navy Frigate up close. Feeling a little lucky? The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund will be offering visitors the chance to win an Aston Martin Vanquish S Red Arrows car – the spectacular car, Red 10 celebrates two of the most iconic marques in British history and engineering as a unique tribute to the RAF Red Arrows. All funds from
Strikemaster
PAUL JOHNSON FLIGHTLINE UK
the raffle will go directly to the RAF Benevolent Fund, supporting RAF personnel past and present and their families. The team from The Breeze radio will be giving visitors the chance to win a massive £10,000 cash prize and for anyone looking to get into the summer holiday spirit, Go Cruise & Travel and the team from Parks Holidays Landscove Holiday Park will be available to lend a helping hand. Visitors to the Event Village can also enjoy a delicious array of food stalls and bars, offering everything from fish and chips to BBQ, churros and doughnuts. Then, once lunch is over, the little ones can be let loose to burn off some energy on inflatable slides, bouncy castles or enjoy a range of family activities hosted by Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts Zoo & Aquarium. Torbay Airshow visitors can indulge in some retail therapy as the Event Village
will offer everything from personalised gifts, toys and festival essentials, through to South American handcrafts, garden furniture and even wines to sample. For families looking to upgrade their day out, the Family Fly By in partnership with Francis Clark and Inter-Line offers the opportunity to enjoy the airshow with a secure location for children to be entertained, toilets, dedicated bar and designated seating area. Upon entry families will receive a drinks voucher for tea, coffee, soft drinks for the little ones and a goody bag, at which point they will be able to enjoy the hospitality area’s private marquee and seating area. For those with little ones not yet old enough to walk there will be space for buggy parking, as well as dedicated baby changing units. Family activities and entertainment for children will be provided by Francis Clark and Inter-Line, who will also be coordinating a dedicated reception and check in desk.
PAUL JOHNSON FLIGHTLINE UK
Top tips Get the best view If you want to get the best views of all the spectacular aircraft on show then make sure you’re on Paignton Green nice and early. Have a transport plan There are plenty of ways to get to and from the airshow site throughout the weekend, so whether it’s by car, train, bus or ferry make sure to familiarise yourself with the transport schedule to avoid missing out. Stay in touch There’s plenty going on so the best way to keep up with displays, news and updates is to follow our social media accounts across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You’ll find us at @torbayairshow Crowds at last year’s event
ANDY UGLOW