The Red Arrows, The Typhoon, World War Two warbirds, a bustling Air Show Village – there is so much to enjoy about Southport Air Show!
Here are 10 things we love about this magnificent event, which returns this weekend after a three-year absence. Let us know what you’re most looking forward to!
Tickets for general admission are £10 and for the first time under 16s are free.
Visitors can also purchase exclusive tickets to watch the show from Southport Pier. These tickets are subject to limited availability.
For more information visit www.visitsouthport.com/airshow or call the ticket hotline 03445611816.
1 – The Red Arrows are back!
Crowd favourites the RAF Red Arrows are back in Southport, for both days of the Show – and it’s one appearance that everyone in Southport is excited about!
We have all seen them before, and their stunning daredevil displays are worth the admission fee alone.
The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, is the public face of the Royal Air Force.
With a trademark combination of close formation flying and dynamic loops and rolls, the team has been displaying since 1965.
2 – Spitfire BM597 – The Defender Returns
In an incredibly special moment for Southport Air Show, and an exciting first, we can see Spitfire BM597 fly above Southport Beach – 80 years after it flew from RAF Woodvale near Southport to defend the Liverpool and Southport area from the Luftwaffe shortly after The Blitz.
This amazing aircraft is a living piece of the North West’s history and has a very special connection to RAF Woodvale. Flying once more over the skies of Southport, it will be a magical and poignant moment to see ‘the defender return’.
3 – The Black Eagles Aerobatic Display Team
Southport Air Show will play host to the first UK appearance for 2022 by the world famous the Republic of Korea Air Force in more than ten years.
The Asian nation’s Black Eagles aerobatic flight team, which will see eight KAI T-50B planes, specially-painted in their trademark black, white, and yellow, take part in a series of jaw dropping and awe-inspiring aerial manoeuvres.
The eight Black Eagle pilots will be thrust to the back of seats, experiencing G-force nine times greater than Earth’s gravity in their supersonic jets.
4 – Beach Attractions
A range of attractions can be found on the beach including mini tanks, bungee trampolines, land zorbs, bumper cars, simulators and a paintball range.
The Mid Lancs Military Vehicle Trust members will have a display of their vehicles too which they have lovingly restored and they will be happy to answer any of your questions about them.
They are members of the world’s largest military Vehicle Club and the only charity dedicated to the conservation of former military vehicles thereby keeping our mechanical veterans alive.
5 – Kids go free
With FREE tickets for under-16s Southport Air Show is now better value than ever.
What could be more exhilarating than a day on the prom, pier or beach with family and friends watching the power, speed and grace of the skilful pilots and their machines in the skies above.
Great value for families.
6 – Typhoon
The Typhoon provides the RAF with a multi-role combat aircraft, capable of being deployed in a full spectrum of air operations, from air policing, to peace support, through to high intensity conflict.
It is currently employed on permanent ops in the Falkland Islands, UK QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) North and UK QRA South.
7 – The Blades
Now entering their 17th season, with over 25,000 flying hours between them, the pilots of the Blades Aerobatic Team are among the most experienced display pilots in the world, who have wowed Southport Air Show fans over recent years with their sensational displays.
With former RAF Red Arrow pilots at the controls, the team performs the ‘Best of British’ to approximately four million spectators in a standard event season.
8 – The 69th Field Artillery Guns
They will be located on the crowd line and you can go over and get close to the guns.
The displays are carried out using original field equipment and all commands are given exactly as would have been done by gun crews during the war, they also have all the field plotting and calculating equipment.
The group members try to portray different aspects of the wartime experience, from the uniform an ordinary soldier wore, to their equipment and the food they ate using their WW2 Field Kitchen. They will also be displaying some of the vehicles that would have been used.
These displays are very impressive, not to mention loud!
9 – Tigers Army Parachute Display Team
The Tigers were formed over 20 years ago and are firmly established as one of the top parachute display teams within the United Kingdom. The team has been very successful in competitions throughout this period, performing at events such as the British National Parachute Championships and the World Parachute Championships.
Soldiers of the Regiment are recruited from Kent, Surrey, Sussex, London, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands. Members of The Tigers consist of volunteers from various battalions of the regiment.
10 – Pier Viewing tickets on sale for the first time
Southport Air Show fans will be able to enjoy the best views of the event from Southport Pier for the first time.
A brand new exclusive Pier Viewing ticket is on sale with limited availability for those who want to guarantee the very best views of the upcoming Southport Air Show.
Click here to book tickets – as well as general admission there are premium tickets available with access to the Pier.
Access to Pier viewing is via the steps/ ramp adjacent to Premier Bowl.
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