Yeovilton Air Day 2012
The Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton International AIR DAY 2012 has been officially launched by the Commanding Officer, Commodore Paul Chivers OBE and the organisers, AHA Events.
AIR DAY 2012 takes place on SATURDAY 23 JUNE with the FALKLANDS WAR 30TH ANNIVERSARY at its heart.
Few events can rival the intensity, drama and spectacle at the Royal Navy’s premier air show. The RNAS Yeovilton Air Day is one of the largest one day events in the Southwest, and returns this summer with an action-packed day out for all the family. Alongside the thrilling flying display there’s plenty to see and do on the ground, whether you’re a wide-eyed first timer or a seasoned air show veteran, the experience will be incredible
With the event regularly attracting over 30,000 visitors, significant UK and foreign military participation and support from the world’s leading aerospace companies, Air Day continues to build on its success. Last years show was awarded Silver at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in the ‘Event of the Year’ category.
The Falklands 30 theme will be spearheaded by the mighty Avro Vulcan B2 CH588, a genuine campaign veteran, making its third appearance at the show. Between April and June 1982, the Falklands Campaign was one of history’s shorter conflicts but one that put the spotlight well and truly on RNAS Yeovilton’s men and machines. Every single RNAS Yeovilton based Naval Air Squadron participated in the Campaign. Ultimately, the base supplied a total of 126 aircraft and more than 1,400 Royal Naval personnel.
Other Royal Naval contributions will include the Merlin HM1 and the award-winning Royal Navy Black Cats Lynx pair, whose intricate and fast paced display is always an Air Day highlight. The world’s only airworthy De Havilland Sea Vixen is another regular Air Day participant and will give a sweeping display reminiscent of the Fleet Air Arm of the 1960s. It will be joined by the Douglas Skyraider, appearing at Air Day for the first time since being repainted into an attractive new US Navy scheme.
Royal Naval air power past and present will be at the heart of the flying display but support from the Royal Air Force and the British Army will be comprehensive, too. The RAF Red Arrows, reduced this year to a seven-ship formation will lead the RAF’s contribution, joined by the RAF Tornado GR4 role demo, the ever-popular Battle of Britain Memorial flight’s Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane in addition to solo Hawk and Tucano trainers, the latter presented this year in a vibrant scheme honouring the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The Army Air Corps will supplement its planned involvement in the Commando Assault with a rare Lynx MK9 solo display.
A number of foreign air arms plan to participate in the show and, while final confirmations are still to be confirmed, one extremely exciting item has already been announced. The Saudi Hawks are the Middle East’s equivalent of the Red Arrows and will be making only their second ever UK appearance at this years Air Day. Equipped, like the Red Arrows, with BAE Hawks, they’re a world record-breaking and award winning six-aircraft team painted in the vibrant green and white colours of the Saudi Arabian flag. RNAS Yeovilton and the organisers are very much looking forward to welcoming, to the show, its first Royal Saudi Air Force participation of any kind and are pleased to host the team at the start of its UK tour.
The day will close with the much loved and multi-layered Commando Assault with explosions, and helicopters flying in armoured vehicles and troops. “It will be a vivid reminder of some of the work, Royal Naval Helicopters did as workhorses during the Falklands War”, said Air display director, Commander Neil Thompson. ”There will be pyrotechnics aplenty when the newly formed Red Star Rebels team of Czech-built Aero L-29 Delfin jet trainers “attack” the airfield in a Cold War themed finale of a kind never seen before”.
Yeovilton’s Commanding Officer Commodore Paul Chivers OBE said, “It promises to be a spectacular day and we’re hoping to build on the silver award in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards from last year. The Falklands 30 commemoration is proving to be a popular theme”.
Air Day 2012 can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. A standard entrance ticket costs £23.00 for Adults, Senior Citizens and current/past UK Armed Forces personnel and £8.00 for children on the day but significant discounts exist for advanced ticket purchases (£18.00, £16.00, £16.00 and £5.00 respectively). There are also upgraded packages covering entrance to the Grandstand, Flightline Enclosure or Swordfish Enclosure. Details of these, along with the latest aircraft participation information, can be viewed at www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday or by telephoning the TICKETLINE ON 08445 780780.