A TASTE of Biggles and derring-do will be coming to the Wales Airshow for the first time this summer when British and German World War I planes take flight over Swansea.

Replicas of two British SE5 biplane fighters which saw service over the battlefields of France and Belgium more than 100 years ago will be going toe-to-toe with a replica German Junkers CL1.

The aircraft, all part of the Bremont Great War Team, are making their debut at the Wales Airshow on June 30 and July 1 as part of the RAF 100 celebrations.

Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Major Projects, said: “More than 5,200 Royal Aircraft Factory SE5s saw action in World War I when the RAF was known as the Royal Flying Corps.

“The SE5s were flown by some of the great Allied aces of the war, including Billy Bishop and Mick Mannock, who shot down 133 German planes between them.

“It’s brilliant that historic aircraft like the SE5 and the CL1 will not only be helping us celebrate the RAF centenary but also the 100^th anniversary of the end of the war.”

This year’s Wales Airshow is promising to be the biggest and best ever following last year’s record-breaking event which attracted 250,000 visitors, generating more than £8m for the local economy.

And Cllr Francis Davies said: “It’s incredible to think the Airshow’s first year attracted 75,000 and now it’s become so popular it’s an annual event and we’re heading for four times that number of visitors. It’s Wales’ biggest free event of the year, attracting families from across South Wales and the rest of the UK.”

Apart from the World War I debutants, already signed-up for return visits are the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Typhoon Air Display Team and the show-stopping Red Arrows.

There will be a great many ground attractions too, among them trade stands selling all sorts of aircraft-related memorabilia and gifts.

THREE iconic aircraft from yesteryear will bring history to life at the Wales Airshow this summer.

As part of the RAF 100 centenary celebrations the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be showcasing three of just a handful of planes still in the air more than 70 years after their finest hours.

The Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane and Avro Lancaster will be making their mark at the Wales Airshow on June 30 and July 1 in front of crowds likely to run to well over 250,000.

The free event run by Swansea Council has already announced some of the world’s best-known aircraft on the line-up for this year including , the RAF Red Arrows and Typhoon display teams.

Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Major Projects, said: “The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is arguably the most historic and evocative flight display in British history.

“Without the planes, the pilots, the crews and the many thousands working on the ground that supported our fighters and bombers, Britain’s story could have been a very different one. To see them in flight is to bring history to life and on the 100^th anniversary of the foundation of the RAF we are proud to be hosting them here in Swansea.”

He added: “Combining with modern aircraft, cutting-edge aerobatic displays and ground-based entertainment, this display is among many that hundreds of thousands of spectators will soon be enjoying in the skies above Swansea.

“More aircraft will be confirmed over the coming weeks as we continue to develop the programme for this major event that’s worth more than £8m to the city’s economy.”

This summer marks the fifth consecutive year for the Wales Airshow in Swansea.

WORLD class aerobatic team the Red Arrows will be returning to Swansea for the Wales Airshow this summer.

The Red Arrows will be taking to the skies on both days of the free Swansea Council event on Saturday June 30 and Sunday July 1.

Officially known as the Royal Air Force aerobatic team, the Red Arrows have performed over 4,700 displays in more than 50 countries across the world since the 1960s.

Robert Francis Davies, Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Major Projects, said: “It’s great news that the Red Arrows have confirmed that they’ll be taking part in the free Wales Airshow this summer.

“The Red Arrows are the most famous aerobatic team in the world and they’ve been Wales Airshow showstoppers since the very beginning. The event wouldn’t be the same without them, so we are thrilled they’ll be back this year to help us celebrate the RAF’s centenary year.”

Cllr Francis-Davies said: “As well as the Red Arrows and the Typhoon Display Team turning hundreds of thousands of heads, the council is working on attracting many more exciting additions to the line-up in coming weeks on the ground as well as in the air.”

Figures show the Wales Airshow, organised by Swansea Council, was worth £8.4m to the local economy last year, helping attract 250,000 visitors to the seafront and other vantage points across the city.

As in previous year’s a dynamic timetable of display times for the Airshow will be fed into an Airshow App a few days before the event.

Download the APP

The App, is available on Appstore and Google PLAY and will be updated in real time to reflect changes in the event schedule and timings that may be caused by the weather and other factors.

Users who purchased the app in previous years can receive this year’s content as a free update.  Content will appear as each new display is confirmed and the timetable will appear on Wednesday June 27.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

THE RAF’S Typhoon Display Team is winging its way into Swansea this summer.

The display team has been confirmed for the Wales Airshow, which is taking place in the city on Saturday June 30 and Sunday July 1.

Sponsored at this year’s Walesa Airshow by Virgin Atlantic, Flying out of RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, the Typhoon costs around £80m and is one of the world’s most advanced fighter planes. It’s so complex a machine that it can’t be flown by a human alone, it needs on-board computer back-up.

Figures show the Wales Airshow, organised by Swansea Council, was worth £8.4m to the local economy, helping attract 250,000 visitors to the seafront and other vantage points across the city.

Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Major Projects, said: “We’re delighted to announce that, in the RAF’s centenary year the Wales Airshow will be showcasing some of its finest assets, including the Typhoon display team.

“We’re delighted they’ve confirmed they’ll be taking part in this summer’s Airshow, ensuring that we meet our objective of delivering an event that continues to meet people’s expectations, year after year.

“As the council continues to work on the event’s organisation behind the scenes, residents and visitors can expect more confirmations over coming weeks.

“As well as aerial displays, ground-based entertainment will also form part of the event, which is being held this summer for the fourth consecutive year.”

With a maximum speed of over 1,300mph, the Typhoon can reach an altitude of 55,000 feet, towards the edge of space. Measuring close to 16 metres in length, the aircraft has a wing span of over 11 metres.

Download the Official Wales Airshow APP!

As in previous year’s a dynamic timetable of display times for the Airshow will be fed into an Airshow App a few days before the event.

The App, is available on Appstore and Google PLAY and will be updated in real time to reflect changes in the event schedule and timings that may be caused by the weather and other factors.  Users who purchased the app in previous years can receive this year’s content as a free update.  Content will appear as each new display is confirmed and the timetable will appear on Wednesday June 27.

Download the app