Red Arrows return to their ‘spiritual home’ for two-day flying spectacular.

The world’s most famous aerobatic display team are returning home for both days of this year’s newly rebranded Cotswold Air Show that supports the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.
The Red Arrows were based at the former RAF Kemble (now Cotswold Airport) for nearly 20 years during the 1960s, 70s and 80s and the historic Gloucestershire aerodrome is often referred to as the team’s ‘spiritual home’ by both pilots and fans alike. It is always a welcome sight to see the “Arrows”, as they were always locally known, back displaying in the skies above the Cotswolds.

Due to the team’s hectic schedule, displaying at air shows and other events all over the world, it is always a bonus to secure their services, and Cotswold Air Show (formerly Kemble Air Show) organisers say the announcement that the Red Arrows will be displaying on both June 19th and 20th is a major coup.

Cotswold Airport operations manager and airshow organiser Glen Moreman said: “To have the Red Arrows on one day is great but to secure them for both days of the Air Show is fantastic.
“Many residents will remember seeing the team practicing several times a day in the skies around Kemble, and the layby on the A429 next to the base was regularly full of people who would park up just to catch a glimpse of them.

“There are still many strong links between the team and this area – indeed a number of former pilots and team members still live locally – and I know that the team always look forward and enjoy returning to display at Kemble.

“We are delighted to have them and I am sure, as usual, they will prove a major crowd puller during what is already shaping up to be a fantastic event.”

Regular Red Arrow reunions are still held at Cotswold Airport as part of the Air Show and the team are always given a big welcome by their predecessors who enjoy meeting and swapping stories with the new members of the team, especially as this year the team now have their first female display pilot!

In addition to the Red Arrows, the show will be taking the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain as its main theme and among the display aircraft confirmed so far for this year’s event are Team Viper, with their Strikemaster Jet aircraft, the Yakolevs display team, RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Guy Westgate with the amazing Swift Glider Aerobatic Team.

Tickets for the event initially go on sale online through the Air Show website (www.cotswoldairshow.com), from March 5th.

Explore Gloucestershire
1 March 2010

• Also see : Cotswold Air Show 2010

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