More than 100,000 spectators visited the HISTORY Biggin Hill International Air Fair over the weekend, enjoying sunshine in a mainly cloudless sky each day. The show was the 48th in the series launched by Sqdn Ldr Jock Maitland in 1963.
The visitors witnessed a 6-hour aerial spectacular each day, the programme featuring the RAF Aerobatic Team 'The Red Arrows', the Freefall Parachute Team 'The Falcons', the dynamic 'Blades Formation Team' flown by former Red Arrows team members and fine contributions from Belgian, French and Polish Air Forces.
A highlight of the daily flying programme was a marking of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with a re-enactment of an airfield attack which ended in a dogfight in the skies above Biggin Hill between a Spitfire flown by test pilot Dan Griffith (from Crawley, Sussex) and a Messerschmitt 109 owned and flown by John Romain from Duxford. The 40-minute sequence involved a squadron of Hurricanes and Spitfires as defenders, added realism provided by a selection of convincing pyrotechnics designed and operated by film industry experts.
Colin Hitchins of organisers Air Displays International said that the 40-minute sequence was a triumph for good planning and fine airmanship.
"The 1940 aerial re-enactment called for considerable pre-planning and careful briefings. The result was outstanding, brilliantly flown and highly convincing. Great credit rests with Andy Pawsey who helped design the sequence and Dan Griffith who provided the choreography and led in a Spitfire. For many, I hope that it may, as victors, be a lasting memory of the sights and sounds of RAF Biggin Hill in the summer of 1940" he said.
RAF presence also included displays by Typhoon, Tornado, Harrier, Hawk, Tucano and Tutor as well as the Chinook twin-rotor helicopter.
A seldom-seen and most welcome visitor was a Vickers VC10 of 101 squadron based at Brize Norton. The aircraft continues lastingly in service as a transport and for the flight re-fuelling role.
A VIP visitor to the Air Fair on Sunday was Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of Air Staff. He opened the Sunday programme on the PA and also with LBC Radio.
"It is a privilege to come to Biggin Hill, arguably the centre of operations against the Luftwaffe in SE England all those years ago, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, enabling the Royal Air Force to showcase how our Service continues to deliver its primary role of air defence in the UK and supporting operations abroad as a force for good" he said.
"Naturally the assets we use have changed, but the commitment to that primary role of control of the air, wherever we operate - including Afghanistan, to which 30% of the Service is committed - has been seamless for all those 70 years" said Sir Stephen Dalton.
From the Royal Navy, the Helicopter Display Team with two Westland Lynx helicopters known as the 'Black Cats' presented a well-coordinated sequence. Led by Lt Becky Fraser with Lt Chris Chambers as her No 2, the team showed the capability of the Lynx to good effect.
Flt Lt Tom Bould from 72 squadron based at Linton-on-Ouse won the trophy for 'best solo performance' in a display that the judges described as 'smooth and well presented' The Battle of Britain Sword for the 'Spirit of the Air Fair' went to the 70th anniversary re-enactment team headed by Dan Griffith. Paul Bonhomme of 'The Matadors' team, who fly Russian Sukhoi Su31s, received the trophy for Best Formation display.
Colin Hitchins has paid tribute to all who have been involved in Air Fair management that has provided a successful show for spectators.
"The quality of the flying display matched the weather and the sense is that people enjoyed a spectacular occasion. The phones have been noticeably quieter today which means that we mainly got it right - particularly the traffic issues which were a prime target for improvement this year" he said.
"I want to thank our supportive sponsors, Biggin Hill Airport and their tenants, police, cadets, military and civil services and all the air and ground crews for their solid support towards making the 2010 International Air Fair such a memorable and successful occasion for so many loyal visitors" said Colin Hitchins.
