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Thousands expected at RAF air show

Gavin Kermack
BBC News, West Midlands
RAF Cosford A young boy, seen from behind, looking up at the sky as nine aeroplanes fly through it. Behind them they are leaving red, white and blue vapour trails.RAF Cosford
The display by the RAF's aerobatics team, the Red Arrows, is one of the most popular among visitors to Cosford

The RAF Cosford Air Show returns this weekend, bringing displays of aircraft ranging from the Battle of Britain fighter planes to modern military helicopters.

About 50,000 people are expected at the annual event on Sunday, near Albrighton.

Motorway restrictions are being relaxed and extra trains put on to cope with the influx of visitors.

The event is the only one of its kind organised by the RAF, and chief operations officer Sqn Ldr Chris Wilson said it attracted people from around the world.

"People are fascinated by aviation," he said. "It's something that makes people stop and look."

RAF Cosford A military helicopter with twin rotors hovering low above a field. Kneeling in front of it are six soldiers in camouflage and holding guns.RAF Cosford
A Chinook helicopter will be among the aircraft taking to the skies on Sunday

The event was first held in 1978, and has run most years since then.

Attractions this year include the Great War Display Team, performing a dogfighting routine in replica British, French and German World War One aircraft, displays by the RAF Red Arrows and the Royal Navy Black Cats, and Chinook and Apache helicopters.

There will also be a display from aerobatics pilot Mélanie Astles, the first woman to take part in the Red Bull Air Race.

RAF Cosford A streamlined plane flies through the sky on its side. Its afterburners are on and glowing bright orange.RAF Cosford
The RAF's Typhoon team will be performing high above visitors' heads

Sqn Ldr Wilson said static aircraft, which this year include the Eurofighter Typhoon, a Boeing Stearman biplane, and a Sioux light helicopter, were also popular.

"We work very hard to put on a really interesting flying display, but we also try and make sure that there's lots to see on the ground as well in our hangars," he said.

"It's a really, really, good way to expose young people to what aviation is and how maybe they can get into it when they're older."

The show was a useful tool to demonstrate to children the practical applications of what they learn in maths and physics lessons, he added.

"They come and meet people [like them], from Wolverhampton and Telford, who happen to be in the Royal Air Force, or maybe they work in the Civil Aviation sector and they go: 'If you can do this, why can't I"A black and white photograph of HMT Empire Windrush, docked at Southampton in 1954. The ship has a long dark stripe down one side, an anchor at the front and smoke coming from its funnels. " class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/>

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