Leuchars Airshow to celebrate past, present and future
A Eurofighter Typhoon will perform a fly-past with a Spitfire and Tornado at the RAF Leuchars Airshow next month to herald its arrival at the Fife air base.
A Typhoon during the 2009 Leuchars Airshow.
- By Cheryl Peebles
- Published in the Courier : 18.08.10
- Published online : 18.08.10 @ 01.05pm
The first Typhoon squadron will be officially welcomed at the event on September 11.
During a parade of the new 6 Squadron and its presentation of squadron colours to Air Officer Scotland Air Commodore Harry Atkinson, the three aircraft will pass over the show ground representing the past, present and future.
6 Squadron will be the first of three Typhoon squadrons at the base, which currently operates the Tornado F3, when it is formed five days before the show.
Last year one of the base's two Tornado squadrons — 43 (Fighter) Squadron — was disbanded as part of the phasing out of Tornado F3s to make way for the new combat jet. 111 (Fighter) Squadron will follow suit next March, after a gradual handover to 6 Squadron.
The past will be celebrated at the airshow as it marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with the flight of a Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
To recognise the present, the show will include displays of how its personnel are serving in the Middle East, Afghanistan and the Falkland Islands and defending UK airspace through their quick reaction alert role.
Since it was first held in 1945, RAF Leuchars Airshow has grown to become the largest in Scotland and one of the largest in the UK.
It aims to remind people of the sacrifices made during the world wars and other conflicts including Iraq and Afghanistan and of the ongoing efforts.
Other highlights this year will be jaw-dropping aerobatic displays by the ever-popular Red Arrows and The Blades and the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team will drop in.
Other military flights will include the RAF's Harriers, Tornado GR4s and Sea Kings, F-16s from the Netherlands and Belgium and a Czech Gripen.
The last flying Avro Vulcan bomber is scheduled to return and an SE5a biplane will fly.
Entertainment will be provided by the RAF Leuchars Pipes and Drums, the Fly Right Dance Company and Red Hot Swing.
- For more information visit www.airshow.co.uk
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