Airshow confirms some real high flyers are coming

The famous Red Arrows are heading for Scottish skies this summer for Scotland’s national airshow.

It will take place on Saturday, 28 July, from 10am-5pm at the National Museum of Flight, in East Fortune, East Lothian.

The RAF Red Arrows display team will top the bill with a high-octane performance on Saturday 28 July. Tickets are now on sale and are available at special early bird prices until 13 July.

The museum recently added a Red Arrows Hawk T1A to its aviation collections, meaning that visitors to this year’s event will, for the first time, be able to see an example of the aircraft on the ground, as well as in the air.

Seventy-five years after the famous Dambusters raid, an example of the aircraft that was involved in the famous mission, the Avro Lancaster bomber, will fly on the day as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, alongside a Supermarine Spitfire and a Hawker Hurricane.

Hurricane Mark II, Avro Lancaster Mk 1 and Spitfire Mark Vb

The aerial line-up at Scotland’s National Airshow also features an RAF Typhoon, an awesome, delta-winged air defence fighter that will perform a thrilling solo display.

A Bristol Blenheim – a Second World War medium-range bomber and night fighter – and a Swordfish torpedo biplane from the Royal Naval Historic Flight will display at East Fortune, as will a rare and special Second World War P-51 Mustang bomber-escort fighter.

This aircraft was part of the US Airforce’s 332nd Fighter Group – the first all African-American Fighter Group, known as The Tuskegee Airmen, sometimes referred to as The Red Tails.

Close formation aerobatics from the Fireflies Display Team will add to the excitement on the day, with other high-flying action including two de Havilland Vampire jet fighters and a Soviet MiG 15 from the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron.

Other exciting aircraft set to grace the skies above the historic military airfield include a North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco, an aircraft that supported US troops in conflicts from Vietnam to Iraq, and another veteran of the Vietnam War, a Bell UH-1 Huey helicopter.

A Lancaster Bomber from the Battle of Britain

The aerial line-up also features an American Second World War T6 Texan training aircraft, a pair of Jet Provost training aircraft, an Autogyro, a Percival Pembroke light transport aircraft which was also used for photo reconnaissance, and an RAF GrobTutor which will execute gravity-defying barrel rolls and loops for the crowds.

Scotland’s National Airshow will also provide a host of entertainment on the ground, together with the chance to explore all of the National Museum of Flight’s attractions including its historic Second World War aircraft hangars, which are packed with exciting displays telling the stories of military and civil aviation over the past century. Also on show will be the ever-popular Concorde Experience, the family friendly Fantastic Flight gallery with its interactive exhibits and Fortunes of War, which gives visitors a fascinating insight into East Fortune’s history as a wartime airbase.

Steve McLean, general manager at the National Museum of Flight, said: ‘From the dramatic formations of the much-loved Red Arrows to the awesome power of the Typhoon and exciting displays from fast jets, helicopters and amazing historic aircraft, this year’s line-up is set to provide a thrilling day of aerial entertainment for all the family.

‘We’ve organised some fantastic entertainment on the ground and our visitors will also have the chance to see our diverse aviation collections, including our brand new Red Arrows Hawk. We believe Scotland’s National Airshow is one of Scotland’s best days out and look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors this year.’

A Typhoon aircraft

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 0300 123 6789, and at the gate on the day. Discounts are available for advance booking. Further details can be found HERE.

Tickets are priced: Early bird tickets available until Friday 13 July only, adult £19, concession £17.50, child £9.50 (under 5s free), family (two adults, two children) £49.

Full price (from 14 July and on the day): Adult £23, concession £20, child £11 (under 5s free), family (two adults, two children) £58. Parking £5, programme £5.

Please note the programme is subject to change.

The National Museum of Flight is open seven days a week, from 10am until 5pm.