Iconic Red Arrows to fly over the Midlands - where and when to see

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

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 at the event on Saturday 30 May and Sunday 31 May.

This includes 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 4 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.

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

The Midlands Air Festival takes place in the beautiful estate grounds of the historic Ragley Hall at Alcester from 29 to 31 May.

The Red Arrows will take to the skies on Saturday 30 May and Sunday 31 May.

Exact timings of when the iconic jets will carry out their display have not been disclosed.

However, on Saturday 30 May the Air Display part one will take place from 12pm to 2:45pm and the second part will take place from 3:45pm to 6:30pm.

The Air Displays will take place at the same time on Sunday 31 May.

So the Red Arrows will be performing their display at some point during those time frames.

The Festival kicks off on Friday evening (29 May) with the signature 'Nightfire' show, with pyrotechnic air displays, balloon ascents, Fireglow and a massive firework finale.

For more information on tickets and the event visit www.midlandsairfestival.com.