Rare bomber flies into Culdrose air day 2010
Picture courtesy of Damien Burke
The Avro Vulcan, will be making a rare experience at the 2010 Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose Air Day. The Vulcan provided the RAF’s nuclear deterrent weapon system during the Cold War, took part in the famous Black Buck raids in the Falklands War and was in service from 1956 until retirement in 1984.
The aircraft, which will fly during Air Day, has been carefully restored and its distinctive triangular silhouette and roar of its four Olympus jet engines makes the sight of the Avro Vulcan a hard one to forget. So far over 80 individual aircraft have confirmed their attendance offering a thrilling spectacle for those who visit the base on Air Day on Wednesday 28th July.
The public will be able to see the breathtaking displays from some of the worlds most advanced aircraft as they twist, loop and soar through the skies at terrifying speeds. Over 68 aircraft will give adrenaline filled flying displays full of daring manoeuvres and precision flying, and a further 22 aircraft will be available for static viewing, allowing the public to get up close to the aircraft and talk to their crews.
Culdrose will show off its resident aircraft with a spectacular flypast consisting of Sea King and Merlin helicopters, Hawk jets and the Jetstreams used to train tomorrow’s observers. There will also be helicopter role demonstrations, and the Royal Navy’s award-winning Black Cat display team will be performing a brand new routine involving close formation manoeuvres.
Naval aircraft from the last 70 years will be present in the guise of the Royal Navy Historic Flight. The Historic Flight, which is supported entirely from charitable donations, flies a mixture of aircraft from the Fleet Air Arm’s past. Two of the most memorable are the 1950s Sea Fury (the last and most powerful piston-engined fighter the Navy operated), and the Fairey Swordfish, which gained legendary status in the Fleet Air Arm after it’s participation at the Battle of Taranto in 1940.
The ‘heavy metal’ will be provided by a Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 fighter jet, a Vietnam era F-86 Sabre and a joint Strike Master/Hawker Hunter jet formation from Team Viper, there will also be a reminder of a by-gone era with an appearance from the Great War Display Team. The team pay tribute to the aviators of the First World War with an exhilarating display involving nine WW1 aircraft from both the Allied and German sides, as they tussle for command of the air in a mock dogfight involving explosions and aircraft trailing smoke.
For those who are looking for formation aerobatic teams, Air Day 2010 will not disappoint. The acclaimed ‘Blades’ flying team operating four high-performance Extra 300 aircraft are expected to give a thrilling close formation display flown by ex red arrows pilots. Also flying are the Royal Jordanian Falcons, a spectacular five aircraft routine which has become a firm favourite on the UK Airshow circuit. And for something a little different, there’s Team Osprey with a display of Russian Yak-52 aerobatic aircraft and the Aerosuperbatics, the world’s only formation wing walking team.
Air Display Co-ordinator Lt Commander Dave Lambourne said: “The 2010 Culdrose Air Day will offer a thrilling aerial spectacle for both the enthusiast and casual visitor alike, along with exciting ground displays and the chance to meet the real life naval aviators of today’s Fleet Air Arm. It is sure to be an unforgettable day out.”
As well as an exciting, action-packed flying display, there will also be lots of things to see, touch and try on the ground. Visitors can climb onboard aircraft, find out what it’s like to sit at the controls of a 15 tonne Helicopter surrounded by the latest technology, take a ride in a helicopter, be winched high into the air or jump into the driving seat of a military fire engine. For those who prefer to watch, we have a full arena programme with Field Gun Competitions and daring displays of motorbikes, parachutists and military dogs. All of the Naval Air Squadrons and units will be out on display ready to talk about what they do and helping the public to try out specially devised activities and challenges.
Advance tickets at a reduced price (£10:00 for adults and £25:00 for families) are now on sale online (www.ticketzone.co.uk), by phone (08444 99 99 55) and through the following outlets: Selected Tourist Information Centres across Devon & Cornwall, Flambards, Cancer Funding for Cornwall shop (Helston), Gweek Seal Sanctuary,, Culdrose Public Viewing Enclosure, Culdrose Community Centre.
All advance ticket holders will automatically enter into a prize draw to win a visit to RNAS Culdrose’s Sea King Simulator and take control of a helicopter similar to some currently serving in Afghanistan. The multi-million pound, state of the art Simulator is used to train aircrew for their overseas deployments and is not usually open to members of the public – this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. For further information, including updates on the list of participating aircraft, please visit our website at www.culdroseairday.co.uk
