The team comprises three SE5A single-seat fighters, the type originally built by the Royal Aircraft Factory at Farnborough, each with a wing-mounted Lewis machine –gun. Introduced in 1917 and quickly proving to be fast and versatile, the type was flown successfully by the air aces of the period - pilots such as Albert Ball, James McCudden and Edward Mannock..

One of the team SE5A’s will be flown by 84-year old Doug Gregory, a veteran of WWII when he flew Beaufighter, Spitfire and Mosquito aircraft. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for skill and courage in the air..

Another famous British aircraft of the period exemplified by the team was the Sopwith Pup, an agile fighter with a 100hp Gnome rotary engine introduced into service in 1916. The superb replica is in the colours of the Royal Naval Air Service whose pilots flew alongside their RFC colleagues with distinction..

One of the formidable enemy fighters of the WWI period was the Fokker Dr 1 Triplane. The aircraft was a response to the Sopwith Triplane, entering service in 1917 and flown by the top German pilots at the time, including the famous Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron. John Day who flies the dogfight sequences in a most convincing way built the replica..

Other team aircraft include the French-designed Nieuport 17 Scout, this version being the only full-sized replica in Europe. It is already the star of the recently released film ‘Fly Boys’ in which it was flown by it’s builders, John Day and Bob Gauld-Galliers..

The Junkers CL1 was a sturdy German ground-attack aircraft, well ahead of its time as an all-metal monoplane. The aircraft was fully armed with a pair of forward-firing Spandau machine guns and a third gun operated by the observer from the rear cockpit.

The sight and sound of the Great War Display Team in action will capture the days of early air combat when the aircraft were made of wood and fabric, aero-engines were underpowered and unreliable, yet air battles were fought conclusively by brave, courageous airmen.

The team will be flying both weekend days, 2nd & 3rd June. On the ground, the aircraft will be on view in the new-style display park, providing good photographic opportunities and chats with pilots.

Great War Display Team website: www.greatwardisplayteam.co.uk