Armed Forces Day aerial spectacular
The Red Arrows will lead a display of military aircraft past and present in the skies over Nottingham on 29 June.
![A Spitfire from the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is pictured with a 3 Squadron RAF Typhoon aircraft in formation over Lincolnshire (library image) [Picture: Sergeant Pete Mobbs RAF, Crown copyright]](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a612a5bed915d7dfb583330/s300_45151854.jpg)
A wartime Spitfire in formation with an advanced modern-day Typhoon fast jet (library image)
Performing in their 49th display season, the world famous RAF Aerobatic Team will kick off celebrations to mark the fifth Armed Forces Day national event.
As the main Armed Forces Day parade marches through Nottingham city centre, the Red Arrows will fly the formation shape ‘Lancaster’; named after the iconic aircraft flown by 617 Squadron during the daring Dambusters raid 70 years ago.
Red Arrows fly in the formation shape 'Lancaster' (library image) [Picture: Crown copyright]
Current and historic craft from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force will fly over both the city centre, where the Armed Forces Day parade and drumhead service will take place, and over Victoria Embankment, where a whole day of entertainment and activities are being planned.
Throughout the afternoon visitors will get the chance to see a variety of aircraft in the skies, including the famous Lancaster, Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. From the Royal Navy Historic Flight there will be 2 Second World War aircraft, a Sea Fury and Swordfish. Representing today’s air power, RAF Typhoons and a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter, will contribute to a spectacular air show.
Rapid roping from a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter (llibrary image) [Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Stuart Hill, Crown copyright]
In addition, during the afternoon’s celebrations, members of the RAF Falcons parachute display team will parachute onto Victoria Embankment, mounting a colourful aerial display for which they are famous.
The Red Arrows ‘Red 1’ and team leader for the flypast, Squadron Leader Jim Turner, said:
Displaying in Nottingham on Armed Forces Day is both an honour and a pleasure for the team who are first and foremost Servicemen, all of whom have flown in operational combat tours overseas.
Members of the RAF Falcons parachute display team in action (library image) [Picture: Dave Bishop, Crown copyright]
Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at Nottingham City Council added:
Nottingham is incredibly proud to host the 2013 national Armed Forces Day celebrations. Visitors will be wowed by special appearances from some very famous aircraft.
The air show is part of a spectacular programme of events and activities we’ve got planned, we hope to see people of all ages enjoying this unmissable event.
Royal Navy Historic Flight Swordfish aircraft in flight (library image) [Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Abbie Herron, Crown copyright]