RAF Cosford Air Show ready to dazzle once again

Every year, tens of thousands of people from all over the UK flock to the show – the West Midlands' biggest aviation event and one of only two official RAF air shows anywhere in the country.

Organisers have announced they may even have to cap number of visitors allowed in at this year's show, on June 8, to avoid a repeat of last year's traffic chaos.

At the official launch yesterday, they also unveiled an array of aircraft for the 2014 event, promising to deliver the best of the modern day Royal Air Force alongside classic models from years gone by.

Among them will be the Blades and the four-ship Yakolevs, performing aerobatic displays alongside the Red Arrows, as well as the Spitfire, which was based at the Albrighton site for a time during the Second World War.

Meanwhile, the jet line-up includes the classic Hunter T7 and RAF Typhoon, while there will also be a pair of Boeing Stearman biplanes with the Breitling Wingwalkers and the classic aircraft of the Great War Team.

Yesterday, the Calidus Autogyro and Bücker Jungmann stretched their wings and warmed up their engines at the airfield in Albrighton, showing off stomach-turning displays, alongside other aircraft including the Tucano T1 and Bulldog T1.

Air show director Amanda Butcher said the event would be a chance to show the public what the Royal Air Force does every day. But she added it would be about more than just planes, with a children's fun fair, inflatables, simulator rides and military bands also providing entertainment.

She said: "It's a whole day's entertainment. The gates open at 8.30am and the minute visitors arrive there will be something happening.

"People are interested in the military. Their taxes are paying for it and it's something they don't normally get access to, so this gives us a chance to literally open the doors and let people have a look."

More than 60,000 people – including Prince Harry – came to last year's event, causing heavy congestion on the M54, with queues stretching back up to six miles.

Organisers have already sold almost 2,000 tickets, having only begun accepting bookings two weeks ago.

Wing commander Paul Lilly, chairman of this year's air show, said: "Last year was an outstanding success with 60,000 people coming here. We do realise there was a lot of traffic congestion so we have already started work to engage with the Highways Agency and the police to look at how we can improve."

The air show has been running for more than 20 years and the Cosford base celebrated its 75th anniversary last year.

This year's event will mark the 50th anniversaries of the Red Arrows and the Kestrel aircraft, as well as the 65th anniversary of the Canberra and 100 years since the start of the First World War.

On the ground, three large hangars will feature interactive displays showing the engineering and technical skills taught at RAF Cosford, with each of the individual specialist schools having its own area, many including the chance for visitors to have their photographs taken in the cockpit.

Wing commander Lilly said: "As always, we are looking at building on previous successes. We believe in engaging with the public and also in promoting the RAF and showing what we do as an air force.

"It's also an opportunity to thank people for the support they have given us during service, as well as members of the public."

Last year's event raised more than £300,000 for various charities, which was handed over in cheque presentations at yesterday's launch.

To book tickets, visit www.cosfordairshow.co.uk or call 0871 230 1083.