Express & Star

Star of this year's Cosford Air Show bares its teeth

It is an aircraft with teeth – and will be one of the stars at this year's Cosford Air Show.

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The newly repainted 'Sharkmouth' P-51D Mustang is the latest to be confirmed for the show.

The privately-owned craft, which is usually kept at Goodwood, will perform a flying display for an expected 55,000 visitors.

In a UK first, the World War Two era plane will be decked out in RAF colours.

The plane is just one of many already confirmed for the show. This year's displays will also include the Cosford debuts of the Swiss Hornet Solo Display and Eurocopter EC135, the latest addition to the Midlands Air Ambulance helicopter fleet.

And the Red Arrows will also be returning to the show with an acrobatic display on June 14, this time showing off a new patriotic paint scheme for their Hawk aircraft.

Air show spokesman Peter Reoch said he welcomed the addition of the Mustang to an already diverse collection of aircraft both vintage and from the present day.

He said the confirmation of the Red Arrows to the show would again guarantee a bumper crowd for the popular summer show.

He said: "The Red Arrows inspire and entertain millions of people annually and we are extremely pleased to see them returning to RAF Cosford.

"The flying display for this year's show is filling up fast, with a carefully selected mix of exciting military aircraft, historic warbirds and entertaining civilian acts."

Organisers are again reminding visitors of the new advance ticket only policy, which means unlike previous shows tickets will not be sold at the gate.

The policy has been adopted in order to avoid a last-minute rush to the show, which in the past has caused heavy traffic congestion on surrounding roads.

Adult tickets, priced at £22, are already on sale online and will be available from selected outlets from April.

In the last two years alone, the show has raised over £500,000 for RAF charities.

For more details on the event and to purchase tickets, visit www.cosfordairshow.co.uk

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