Three iconic World War Two aircraft will bring history to life at this summer’s Wales Airshow.

Flying in the skies above Swansea Bay on July 2 and 3, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will showcase three of just a handful of planes still in the air more than 70 years after their finest hours.

The Avro Lancaster, just one of only two airworthy Lancaster bombers in the world, will delight aircraft enthusiasts as it flies in formation with the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane over the huge crowds lining the bay for the two-day event.

The free event run by Swansea Council has already announced that the RAF Red Arrows will feature in the line-up, on both days of the Wales Airshow.

Councillor Robert Francis Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration & Tourism, said “The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is arguably the most historic and evocative flight display in British History.

“Without these planes, their pilots, crews, and the thousands of people working on the ground that supported our fighters and bombers defending Britain, our story would quite possibly have been very different.  

“To see them in flight, in the skies above Swansea Bay, really is to see living history and we are proud to be hosting them here in the city.

“Combining with modern aircraft, exciting aerobatic displays and ground-based entertainment, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is among many spectacles that thousands of people will enjoy at Wales Airshow.”

Inaugurated on 11 July 1957 at Biggin Hill, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aims to maintain the planes that defended Britain in the Second World War in an airworthy condition in order to commemorate those who have fallen in the service of our country.

There are now only two airworthy Lancaster bombers left in the world out of a total 7,377 that were built. The Lancaster PA474, which will fly at Wales Airshow, came off the production line at the Vickers Armstrong Broughton factory in Hawarden on 31 May 1945 and has not participated in any hostilities.

Critical in defeating the Luftwaffe air attacks during the Battle of Britain in 1940, the Supermarine Spitfire became a symbol of freedom during the war and has since gone on to be the most famous British fighter aircraft in history. There are six Spitfires in the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s hanger, out of a total 20,341 aircraft that were built, more than any other British combat aircraft before or since World War Two.

The Hawker Hurricane, alongside the Spitfire, played a vital role defending Britain in frantic battles during the summer of 1940. Hurricanes destroyed more enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain than did all the other air and ground defences combined. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight maintains two of these amazing fighter planes: Hurricane LF363, believed to be the last Hurricane to enter service with the RAF; and Hurricane PZ865, the last Hurricane to be built out of a total 14,533 aircraft.

Figures show the Wales Airshow regularly attracts 250,000 people and is estimated to be worth more than £9m to the local economy.

Councillor Francis-Davies added “The councils is working on attracting many more exciting additions to the line-up in coming weeks – on the ground as well as in the air. There will be exciting displays, state-of-the-art military aircraft and vintage planes, as we’re looking to make the 2022 Wales Airshow better than ever!

Find out more about what’s coming up at this year’s Wales Airshow

Wales Airshow Moved to 2022

SOME of the most exciting planes and airborne stunt shows are set to be flying high over Swansea next summer after the pandemic forced this year’s Wales Airshow to be grounded.

It means what promises to be the biggest and best Wales Airshow ever will be back on July 2 and 3, 2022.

The move comes after a string of airshows around Britain have been cancelled due to continuing uncertainty about UK and Welsh Government’s ability to give the green light for very large spectator events this summer.

Events at Rhyl, Blackpool, Weston-super-Mare and Southport have already been called off and now Swansea Council has reluctantly accepted the Wales Airshow 2021 will be cancelled for this year.

Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We’ve been there for the people of Swansea throughout the pandemic and we will be there for our communities as we emerge from it.

“We were desperate to see a return for Wales’ biggest free spectator event this year and we’ve waited as long as possible before making a decision in the hope it would be able to go ahead.

“Test events are ongoing but there is still no indication of when it might be possible to lift restrictions on social distancing, or when there may be clarity about whether it could go ahead, given more than 250,000 usually attend the event.

Cllr Francis-Davies said: “We want to restart our amazing annual events programmes as soon as the pandemics restrictions allow. We know people want to get back to enjoying concerts, events, gigs and festivals and we are working hard to design a programme that could be activated for the latter part of 2021 and early next year.

“However for the Wales Airshow, which takes months to plan and attracts more than 250,000 visitors, it unfortunately takes place before the point where there is certainty about whether restrictions laid down by the national governments, would allow an event with such large numbers.  

“Therefore we have been forced to make a decision to cancel. However as soon as we have that certainty about the months ahead our teams will be working to confirm other events.

“The end of 2021 and 2022 could be a phenomenal year with the opening of the new Arena, fewer or no restrictions, the return of big events, and a backlog of deferred concerts and festivals.” 

Regarded as one of the biggest and most popular free events in Wales and attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to Swansea Bay, this year’s event was due to take place on Saturday 3 July and Sunday 4 July. 

The council’s events team is already considering a summer schedule of events that might be able to go ahead and working up plans for a spectacular November fireworks display and Christmas parade in the event that they can go ahead with these subject to guidance and other factors.

Cllr Francis-Davies added: “If there’s one lesson we’ve all learned over the last 12 months or so it is that public safety must always be the number one priority when it comes to Covid-19.

“But as we emerge from the pandemic, restrictions are eased and the benefits of the amazing NHS vaccination programme continue to be felt, there is optimism for the future.

“We want to be able to put a smile back on people’s faces even if sometimes the pandemic might mean they’re hidden behind masks.”

He added: “Our events calendar is a moving feast and we have been continually re-adjusting our own programme as well as that of our partners and other private sector events in an ever-evolving landscape. 

“We are still keeping a watching eye on summer and autumn with a view to both hosting and enabling events to take place in line with Welsh Government guidance.”

For information on events in Swansea visit enjoyswanseabay.com

*Update*

In light of the current situation, events directly organised by Swansea Council have been cancelled or postponed until the end of August 2020.

We’re sorry to announce that cancelled events include the 2020 Wales Airshow, which was due to take place on 4 – 5 July this year.

Our team will still be here to help, to keep you updated, and to share some great photos and videos from previous year’s to help brighten your timelines, but in the meantime please stay safe and follow the guidelines from Public Health Wales and the Government.

We’ll see you soon!

The Wales Airshow team

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Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We’ve made this decision to cancel or postpose council-organised events based on advice from Government and Public Health Wales. We’ll review the August end date on a regular basis.

“We haven’t taken this decision lightly but the situation is now compelling. Trying to curtail the spread of the virus along with maintaining the health and wellbeing of our staff, public, suppliers and the emergency services is paramount.

“We face possibly the most challenging situation that any of us has ever faced and we’re sure that event businesses and supporters will understand this decision.

“We know the importance of public events organised by the council but, for now, it’s essential that we do what we can to reduce the spread of the virus.

“This decision will reduce the risk of loss of life and will allow us to get back to putting on events as quickly as possible.

“At present, we’re advising our external event providers that they must satisfy themselves that they are doing all they need to in order to meet the Government  guidelines and to safeguard the public. We will continue to review this in partnership with them as the situation evolves.”

Swansea Council’s Events Team remains available to provide advice and support to partner businesses. Email: special.events@swansea.gov.uk.

More info: www.swansea.gov.uk/coronavirusadvice.

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If you have concerns over your own health, or any questions about the Coronavirus or it’s symptoms, take a look at the Public Health Wales website for the latest advice and guidance.

The latest information from Swansea Council can be found here.

Regular updates from the UK Government can be found here.