RAF Cosford Air Show a soaraway success

Dazzling air displays, a family fairground and mostly dry weather made this year's RAF Cosford Air Show a sky-high success, organisers said today.

Historic and modern-day fighter planes wowed crowds as they performed a range of acrobatics in the skies above South Staffordshire and Shropshire.

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About 40,000 visitors from across the country were wide-eyed as aircraft such as the VC10, Typhoon, Tornado and Sea King helicopter thundered overhead.

Crowds queued for up to an hour to get in to yesterday's spectacle, with tailbacks stretching to Albrighton and the M54 junction. But jam-busting measures ensured traffic remained free-flowing both on and off the site.

And despite sporadic downpours of rain throughout the day, all attractions were able to run.

Delighted Wing Commander Mike Wilson, chairman of the event, said: "We are delighted that despite the unsettled weather leading up to the air show, our supporters have turned out in good numbers.

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"Thankfully, the weather allowed my team to provide a full flying display programme. Moreover, all of the ground displays have proven to be very popular with our visitors.

"I know that this year there are a lot of competing demands on the time and the pockets of us all and hence we at Cosford are very appreciative of the enthusiasm and high spirits brought by those people who attended the show.

"Such support is most welcome to the personnel from Cosford, and other military bases, who work so hard to produce an air show that shows some of the work of the RAF and which aims to thank the local community for their support throughout the year."

During yesterday's impressive show, the world-famous RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team painted the skies the colour of the Union Jack, while the RAF Falcons Freefall Parachute Team performed a daredevil jump.

Other highlights included a showcase of skill from a pilot in a combat Typhoon jet. Meanwhile, Tornado GR4s showed the crowd some of the skilled manoeuvres utilised on operations when providing air support to troops on the battlefield.

On the ground, the young and young-at-heart climbed into the cockpit of planes, while fun fair rides and a street market also proved popular.

Wolverhampton digital sales manager Alan Birkett, aged 42, was among those who attended the event. He was there with his wife, Lorraine, 39, and their children Johnny, 13 Tommy, 10 and five-year-old Danny.

Mr Birkett said: "I've never been before, we all thought it was brilliant. It was really well organised.

"The kids loved it and we'll be going back again next year. It's a great day out for the whole family.

"I really liked the Red Arrows but the Tornados were fantastic as well."

Also enjoying the thrills of watching displays was 43-year-old Mark Kevan and his five-year-old son, Jack, from Wednesbury.

Mr Kevan, who was treated to the day out as a Father's Day gift, said: "It was a cracking day. Absolutely bang-on.

"The highlight for me was seeing the Lancaster, followed by the Red Arrows. Seeing the old Second World War planes was great. It helps you realise and remember an important part of our national history.

"It was a shame about the showers but it wasn't a big problem."

Meanwhile, Mark Downing, 33, his partner Emma Williams, 32 and Mr Downing's six-year-old daughter Carrie, managed to enjoy the displays under the safety of a huge umbrella.

The family, from Kingswinford, attend the show most years.

Mr Downing said: "It was fantastic. The rain certainly didn't dampen our spirits. I've been coming since I was 20 and I love it. We all enjoyed he Tornado display - that was as good as ever. The sun even decided to come out towards the end of the day so it was fine in the end."

Although Air Craftsman Stuart Philpott, 26, from Albrighton, works for the RAF, he admitted he was blown away by some of the displays.

AC Philpott, who cradled his four-year-old daughter Lottie as aircraft roared above, said: "To see so many people here enjoying the day is fantastic. There's so many impressive things that happened during the event. It was great."

W CDR Wilson said proceeds from the event would be split between the RAF Association, the RAF Benevolent Fund and local charities.

By Shaun Jepson