Former Red Arrows pilots, The Blades, will be zooming across the skies at Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow on all four days, as the world renowned aviators perform their thrilling high precision display for the fans from 9th – 12th August.
The four-ship display team are returning to Airbourne as world record holders after setting a record for flying 26 consecutive formation loops. The Blades also recently featured on Britain’s Got Talent.
This year, the team have announced a change to their line up as Mark Cutmore takes over as Blade 1. Mark ‘Cutty’ Cutmore said “We’re really excited about being part of Airbourne this year. The line-up for the show looks tremendous and it’s a superb place to display. The atmosphere along the seafront is fantastic and the flying displays are an absolute must see!”
Mark flew with the Red Arrows over Eastbourne from 1999-2001 before moving to the Middle East to work as the Special Advisor for the Royal Saudi Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Saudi Hawks. After leaving the RAF, Mark joined The Blades.
The Blades have become a popular treat for Airbourne visitors thanks to their intricate manoeuvres and close formation stunts flying as close as 10 feet apart during the display, showing why their RAF formation flying training is the best in the world.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “The Blades are the UK’s top civilian formation team and really are world class performing all over Europe and the Middle East. The team are incredibly generous with their time in meeting fans at the event and it is an honour to welcome them back to Airbourne for our 20th year.”
Also joining the line up over all four days are firm family favourites the Breitling Wingwalkers, who perform daredevil acrobats on the wings of their Boeing Stearman biplanes. The worlds only formation wingwalking team includes a daring display of loops, rolls, stall turns and inverted flight during which the wingwalkers experience speeds of up to 150mph and G force of up to 4G!
More than 20 RAF displays over the four days are also confirmed including the Tornado GR4, Hawk, Tucano, Tutor, King Air, Sea King and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which features the Lancaster Hurricane and Spitfire.
The RAF announced their line up just a few weeks ago for the 20th year of Airbourne and participation from international military fast jet displays, Royal Navy, Army and other commercial display teams are still to be announced, along with parachute and helicopter display teams.
Organisers are also putting together a classic jet programme, featuring historic highlights over the 20 years of Airbourne and an end of show finale to coincide with the Olympic closing ceremony shown live on big screen at Princes Park.
Airbourne takes place on Eastbourne seafront with arena and ground displays on the Western Lawns over all four days, and entry is free. For more information on Airbourne 2012 and visit the Airbourne website or telephone 0871 663 0031.
For more information on The Blades and for an exciting Virtual Cockpit Tour visit The Blades website.
