Red Arrows to break new record when it flies over England

This year will be a historic year for the team, as for the first time in its long history, the RAF’s premier display team will have a female commanding officer.

Wing commander Sasha Nash recently replaced wing commander Adam Collins who has just completed a successful three year tour with the team.

Ms Nash is now responsible for the 150 strong unit based at RAF Waddington and will coordinate every aspect of the team, including displays, safety, engineering and detailed planning.

RAF Benson Families Day saw Falcons parachuters, military planes and helicopters, and the Red (Image: Chris Haigh)

Their appearance at the Midlands Air Festival at the end of May will be the very first opportunity to see the team’s new season display at an inland UK air display.

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The Red Arrows, who are the largest military aerobatic team in the UK, will join a stellar lineup of display aircraft from all over the UK and Europe, to include the rare cold war MiG 17F jet fighter from Poland, the Grumman Turbo Firecat from France performing its very first fire bombing demonstration in the UK dropping over 3,000 litres of water in four seconds and Team Raven who are largest civilian display team in the UK.

The Battle of Britain Memorial flight will be displaying with a Spitfire and Hurricane and unusually, a Douglas DC 3 Dakota as the Lancaster is in deep maintenance at the moment.

There will also be the first display after a long restoration of the world’s only Westland Whirlwind historic search and rescue helicopter in company with a giant Sea King helicopter.

The RAF mass parachute team, the Falcons will also drop on all three days. Many more exciting aircraft make up the daily flying display.

Adding to the excitement is a major hot air balloon festival too, with over 150 giant multi coloured balloons including many special shape ‘character’ balloons, most standing over 100ft tall including Smiley Scarecrow; Fly Alien; Busby the Kings Guardsman; Orient Express and Iggy the Friendly Dragon.

The Festival kicks off on the evening of May 29 with the signature ‘Nightfire’ show, with pyrotechnic air displays, balloon ascents, Fireglow and a massive firework finale.