Local boy Philip Brooke will be paying a special visit to this year’s Airbourne, as he drops into the show for the first time as part of The Tigers Freefall Parachute Display Team.
Hailing from Eastbourne, Philip joined the Army 4 years ago, and is one of six parachutists jumping with The Tigers, the flagship of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment based in Canterbury. The team will jump on Thursday and Sunday of the four day free airshow, which returns to Eastbourne seafront from 17 – 20 August.
Eastbourne Borough Council Spokesperson for Tourism, Councillor David Elkin said “We are very much looking forward to The Tigers jumping here in Eastbourne for the first time. Freefall parachutists really are a crowd favourite in Eastbourne and very popular with the kids. There are just so many awe inspiring displays on offer this year that there will be plenty for all of the family to enjoy.”
One of the UK’s top display teams, Private Philip Brooke joined The Tigers having been a cadet at school, and since joining he has served in Iraq helping his battalion win 14 distinguished medals.
Private Brooke said “I am delighted to be returning to Eastbourne and can’t wait to perform for the crowds. I joined the army at the end of 2002 and have never looked back - especially after I started parachuting, I love it!”
As well as The Tigers, parachutist fans can look forward to the return of the RAF Falcons who will be dropping in on Friday and Saturday, along with the return of the RAF Harrier, Hawk, Tutor, Tucano, Merlin, Hercules and crowd favourite the Red Arrows.
The Eurofighter Typhoon also makes a welcome return after Eastbourne was one of the few airshows chosen last year to welcome the new display, and displaying the best of the Belgian and Royal Netherlands Air Forces, will be displays from two F16’s, a PC7, Fouga Magister, Sea King and a Search & Rescue AB-412 helicopter.
Classic and Historic Thursday brings a new format to the flying programme, featuring the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Royal Navy Historic Flight, Harvard, Mustang and celebrating 70 years in flight, the spectacular Spitfire duo.
Finally, completing this years exciting flying programme, see the Extra 300 Ultimate High, Sukhoi 26, Army Air Corps Historic Aircraft Flight and family favourite the Utterly Butterly Wingwalkers.
Airbourne is sponsored by nine organisations this year including Eastbourne Arndale Centre, City Sightseeing, Eastbourne & District Chamber of Commerce, Eastbourne Herald, Eastbourne Hospitality Association, Red Eventful Cuisine, Specsavers, SITA and the South East England Development Agency.
For more information on flying, arena displays, RAF exhibition, Radio Airbourne, bandstand concerts and other Airbourne attractions visit
www.eastbourneairshow.com or request a copy of the Airbourne Souvenir Programme on sale now at Eastbourne Tourist Information telephone 0906 711 2212 (calls cost 50p per minute at standard rate).
