The Royal Navy Sea Vixen has been confirmed for Torbay Airshow as part of Saturday’s programme.
With a breathtaking military and civilian flying programme planned and exciting on the ground activities for all the family on Friday 10 June, 2pm to 10pm, Saturday 11 June, 10am to 10pm, and Sunday 12 June, 10am to 6pm – this is an event you will not want to miss!
Epitomising the ingenuity of British engineers, British Industry and the British Spirit, the Sea Vixen is a must see for aviation enthusiasts and families alike.
A Torbay Council spokesperson said: “This is a massive coup for the Torbay Airshow. The Sea Vixen was one of the UK’s most notable aircraft designs of the Cold War era and its technology was cutting edge. Capable of transonic speeds and the first British aircraft to be armed with guided missiles, rockets and bombs instead of guns, she was formidably capable.
“Purpose designed to operate from Royal Navy aircraft carriers, with power folding swept wings and hinged nose cone for easy access, she epitomised the radical and innovative thinking of British engineers and designers.”
As an island nation, the potent sea fighter also became a symbol of our national identity and the determination and resilience of the British people, as she flew day and night from the carriers as the all-weather interceptor poised at any time to defend the fleet.
Today, Sea Vixen G-CVIX / XP924 “Foxy Lady” is the only flying Sea Vixen in the world and is now owned and operated by the Fly Navy Heritage Trust, After a successful first year on the display circuit in 2015, this spectacular and popular aircraft is set to become a must see for aviation enthusiasts and families alike at national airshows over the years ahead.
So far, military aircraft confirmed for the airshow includes the world’s premier aerobatic team The Red Arrows, as well as the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4, King Air B200, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft – the Hawker Hurricane, Avro Lancaster and Supermarine Spitfire as well as The Tigers Freefall Parachute Display Team, the flagship team for the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.
The Blades, a full-time civilian aerobatic display team based in the UK and made up entirely of former RAF Red Arrows pilots will be attending the airshow. Renowned worldwide for flying close formation aerobatics to the highest level within a dynamic and cutting edge display, The Blades currently hold a world record in formation looping.
The world’s only aerobatic formation wingwalking team, Breitling Wingwalkers, will join the impressive line up taking to the skies over the weekend.
Also attending are the Yakovlevs flying the world’s most powerful Yak 52, known as the Super 52. This world championship aerobatic aircraft is much loved for its sparkling performance, grace and precision formation flying.
The Twister Aerobatic Team will wow crowds with their wingtip pyrotechnics. Each aircraft also features high powered spot lamps to illuminate the display smoke.
British jet-powered training and light-attack aircraft, the Strikemaster will also take to the skies. The BAC Strikemaster will be piloted by Mark Petrie, a former RAF pilot who now flies the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with British Airways.
The Gyro flying display, also known as a Gyrocopter or Gyroplane, can also be seen over the weekend. This unusual aircraft is great to watch and is described by the pilots as fun to fly. The rotor blades of the gyro are completely freewheeling in flight, being driven solely by the air going up through the rotor disk.
This year will be the first time Torbay has held an airshow and over 150,000 visitors are expected to watch the action unfold over the weekend.
To find out more about Torbay airshow and sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities visit www.torbayairshow.com
