Not one, not two, but three of the top aerobatic display teams will be performing over the skies of Clacton this summer.
The Clacton Airshow has already revealed that among the star performers will be the RAF Red Arrows, whose performance is sponsored by LightSpeed Broadband.
Now revealed to also be joining the flight programme are Team Raven and the Blades – two world-class formation aerobatic displays.
Flying modified RV8s, Team Raven have flown together since 2014 using the self-built planes’ power-to-weight ratio and strong climb rate to execute astonishing procedures. They will perform at the Clacton Airshow in their five-plane configuration.
Meanwhile The Blades is made up of former RAF Red Arrows pilots – and are the only other team with permission to arrive at events over the heads of the crowds.
Using Extra 300s with top speeds of 220 knots and capable of 10G, The Blades’ display includes more than 30 high-G manoeuvres and sees the pilots fly as close as four-feet apart.
Alex Porter, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism at Tendring District Council (TDC), which runs the Clacton Airshow, said having all three aerobatic displays was a real coup for the event.
“Together the Red Arrows, The Blades and Team Raven represent probably the top three display teams on the event circuit, so for spectators to watch them all at the Clacton Airshow is huge,” Cllr Porter said.
“These displays demonstrate the incredible prowess of all of the pilots, with their close formation flying, precision passes and head-to-head manoeuvres guaranteed to have the crowds gasping in amazement.”
Previously announced flights for the 2022 Clacton Airshow include the Pitts Special muscle biplanes, the Slingsby T67 Firefly, fast jets with a MiG-15, a De Havilland Vampire, and a Strikemaster, as well as a twilight display of the Tigers Army Parachute Display team (sponsored by Fisher Jones Greenwood solicitors), Otto the helicopter and the Firebirds (sponsored by Rose Builders Ltd).
Also in the line-up are classic warplanes from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (sponsored by BeFibre), a Fairey Swordfish (sponsored by Rose Builders Ltd), a Supermarine Spitfire and a P51 Mustang.
Photos: Paul Johnson Flight Line
