Event organisers have announced the civilian aircraft which will be stunning crowds at this year’s English Riviera Airshow.

Taking place on Saturday 1 June and Sunday 2 June, the two-day event will feature breathtaking aerial displays and impressive flybys of both modern and historic aircraft. Soaring into this year’s event and impressing the crowds are:

  • The Royal Navy Black Cats Helicopter display team: an exciting solo performance of the Wildcat helicopter, showcasing precision, skill, and the unwavering spirit of naval aviation.
  • PBY5A Catalina: an amphibious aircraft and one of the more widely used seaplanes of World War II. It was used heavily in operations throughout the 1930s and 1940s and has served in every branch of the United States Armed Forces.
  • G-JPIT: the only jet-powered Pitts Special in existence.
  • Jet Provost: a former RAF aircraft that celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.
  • OV-10 Bronco: an American turboprop light attack and observation aircraft designed for counter-insurgency combat.
  • Hawker Fury FB.11: the last propeller-driven fighter to serve with the Royal Navy and one of the fastest production single piston-engine aircraft ever built.
  • Westland Sea King HAR3 XZ588: a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter, it provided a wide range of services in both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.
  • Westland Wasp: a small British turbine-powered, shipboard anti-submarine helicopter.
  • Harvard: an advanced single-engine aircraft used to train more than 130,000 aircrew under the British Commonwealth air training plan in Canada during World War II.
  • Supermarine Spitfire XI (PL983 ‘L’): a rare survivor of this mark of Spitfire. This variant was specially designed for long-distance photographic operations.
  • North American P- 51 Mustang: an iconic long-range World War II fighter plane.
  • Douglas C47 Dakota: one of the most successful military transport aircraft designs in history which was widely used by the Allies in World War II.

Aviation enthusiasts will be delighted with the wide range of aircraft on display. This includes the Westland Sea King, P51-Mustang, Hawker Fury and Harvard aircraft which are appearing at this year’s English Riviera Airshow for the very first time.

The civilian aircraft will be joined by the best and most exciting RAF display teams: the Red Arrows, Typhoon and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

The iconic Red Arrows will be performing their new nine-aircraft show, featuring manoeuvres not seen for a generation in their display routine. The iconic crimson jets will streak across the Bay on Saturday 1 June, wowing crowds with their speed, agility and precision.

The RAF Typhoon display team will roar across the sky on both days of the Airshow. A marvel of modern engineering, the noise, speed, and bright engine glow, the RAF Typhoon is guaranteed to thrill.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight includes the Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft. It stands as a living tribute to the gallant aircrew who defended our skies during the pivotal Battle of Britain and boasts an impressive squadron of historic aircraft, meticulously maintained and kept airworthy. The historic flight is scheduled to take place on both days of the event.

Spectators will also be treated to a special D-Day Memorial Display on both days of the Airshow. Marking 80 years since the D-Day landings along the Normandy coast on 6 June 1944, the display will feature the Dakota, P-51 Mustang and Supermarine Spitfire aircraft.

Information about all the aircraft, including exact flight times, can be found in the English Riviera Airshow Programme which you can buy for £10 on the English Riviera Airshow website or at the event.

Back on the ground, the event village on Paignton Green will be open from 10am on both the Saturday and Sunday with plenty to entertain the whole family throughout the day and late into the evening. This year’s Airshow will feature live music all weekend as we showcase incredible acts, BBC Devon introducing artists, and local bands playing into the night. Devon-based 10-piece band Joey the Lips will headline at 9:15pm on Saturday. Meanwhile Sunday will feature a range of local bands and artists such as Harbour Band, AJ & Elliot and The Vinyl Avengers.

Cllr Jackie Thomas, Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture & Events and Corporate Services at Torbay Council, said: ‘‘Torbay’s natural amphitheatre provides the perfect stage for aerial displays and showcases our stunning natural environment. We have worked really hard to secure an incredible line-up of civilian and RAF aircraft for this year’s event which is sure to impress and amaze the spectators below. Beyond the thrill of the flying displays, there will be a vibrant events village providing food, drink and entertainment throughout the day and into the evening. It’s going to be a fantastic event not to be missed.’’

To find out more about what’s on and to sign up for the latest Airshow newsletters visit www.englishrivierairshow.co.uk

Flight Schedule and Timings:

*Please note: This schedule shows the aircraft which will be appearing on each day. It is not a running order. Exact timings and a full running order will be available in the official English Riviera Airshow programme. All timings are subject to change.

Flying will take place:

  • 2:00pm – 3:30pm and 4:30pm – 6:00pm (Saturday 1 June).
  • 1:00pm – 2:30pm and 3:15pm - 4:30pm (Sunday 2 June).

Saturday 1 June

RAF Red Arrows

RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Lancaster Hurricane Spitfire)

RAF Typhoon

D-Day Memorial Display (Dakota, P-51 Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire)

Royal Navy Black Cats (Solo)

Jet Pitts

Catalina

Jet Provost T5 

OV10 Bronco

Westland Wasp

Hawker Fury

Harvard

Sunday 2 June: 

RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Lancaster Hurricane Spitfire)

RAF Typhoon

D-Day Memorial Display (Dakota, P-51 Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire)

Westland Sea King

Royal Navy Black Cats (Solo)

Jet Pitts

Catalina

Jet Provost T5 

OV10 Bronco

Westland Wasp

Hawker Fury

Harvard

Make a weekend of it

Make a Weekend of it with us this June. Enjoy two days of exciting free entertainment, experience the English Riviera’s hospitality, and explore everything the area has to offer. Plan your English Riviera Airshow break via www.englishrivieraairshow.co.uk

The official travel partner Great Western Railway offers direct routes to the English Riviera and the Airshow location. Plan and book your journey via www.gwr.com 

About the English Riviera Airshow

The English Riviera Airshow, held annually since 2016, is the UK’s premier aviation event. It combines thrilling flying displays with ground-based festivities, captivating audiences of all ages. The Airshow is a collaborative effort supported by Torbay Council, the English Riviera BID Company, local businesses and organisations, and aviation enthusiasts.

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