Swansea will be propelled back to the 1940s this weekend when the Wales National Air Show first takes to the skies above the city.
The timetable for the two-day event on Saturday and Sunday shows a Lancaster bomber will kick-off the fun as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
The Lancaster became the most famous and successful of the Second World War night bombers and delivered more than 608,000 tons of bombs in over 156,000 sorties. It gained worldwide renown as the Dam Buster used in the 1943 raids on Germany’s Ruhr Valley dams.
The aircraft will take to the skies at 12.05pm on Saturday July 9 and will be closely followed by the Breitling Wingwalkers – the only formation wing walking team in the world.
Other Saturday highlights include Swansea pilots aboard Team Osprey at 2.45pm and the Red Arrows at 4.30pm.
The RAF Falcons will start the fun on Sunday July 10 at 1pm and Team Viper wrap-up the weekend from 3.30pm.
Swansea Council is organising the Wales National Air Show. A variety of ground-based activities have been arranged that include trade stands and a funfair opposite the Cenotaph on Swansea Prom.
Visitors will also have the chance to sit in the cockpit of a Typhoon or discover a selection of military equipment and armoured vehicles.
It’s expected over 60,000 people will flock to the seafront for the fun and the event’s traffic management team is working to ensure visitors get to the displays as smoothly as possible.
Ground-based activities will go ahead regardless of the weather but aircraft will make decisions whether or not to fly as close to their allotted times as possible if visibility becomes a problem.
Cllr Graham Thomas, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said: “This event was a spectacular success when it first came to Swansea in 2009 and I’m delighted the Air Show is returning on the weekend.
“It’s a family-friendly event complete with airborne acrobatics, breathtaking flyovers and a huge number of ground-based activities that will keep all ages entertained.
“The number of visitors expected will also boost local traders and help to showcase once again what Swansea Bay has to offer as a destination.”
The complete Wales National Air Show timetable is as below (subject to change):
Saturday July 9
- 12.05pm – Lancaster (Part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight)
- 12.30pm – Breitling Wingwalkers
- 1.00pm – Royal Navy Merlin helicopter display
- 1.30pm – Tutor
- 1.40pm – Tucano
- 1.50pm – Hawk
- 2.15pm – SAR Sea King
- 2.45pm – Team Osprey
- 3.10pm – Royal Navy Black Cats
- 3.30pm – RAF Falcons supported by First Great Western
- 3.50pm – The Blades supporting RAFA Wings Appeal
- 4.30pm – The Red Arrows
Sunday July 10
- 1.00pm – RAF Falcons supported by First Great Western
- 1.20pm – Hawk
- 1.30pm – Breitling Wingwalkers
- 1.50pm – Tutor
- 2.00pm – Tucano
- 2.15pm – Tornado GR4
- 2.30pm – SAR Sea King
- 2.50pm – Team Osprey
- 3.00pm – Royal Navy Black Cats
- 3.15pm – Royal Navy Merlin helicopter displays
- 3.30pm – Team Viper
Go to www.walesnationalairshow.com to keep up to date with the latest news as well as travel and car parking information.
The Wales National Air Show is part of the Swansea Bay Summer Festival.
