The Biggin Hill International Air Fair
7th and 8th June 2008

Every year Biggin Hill hosts one of the most famous events on the global aviation calendar – The International Air Fair. The event attracts up to 100,000 people to the Airport, and is the largest privately run Air Show in Europe. It has been an annual occurrence since 1963. This makes the show that is about to take place in June 2008 the forty sixth in an unbroken run. A cavalcade of aircraft spanning almost 100 years of the history of aviation will be on show in the air and on the ground.

Plans are set for a six hour display spectacular commencing at 11:30 and running continuously into the early evening.
Veteran marker is the superb flying replica of the Bleriot monoplane made of wood and fabric and flown by Michael Carlsson from Sweden. The type made headlines in July 1909 when Louis Bleriot became the first to fly across the English Channel.

Ten years later in 1919, Alcock and Brown made the first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in a Vickers Vimy bomber. A fine replica of the famous aircraft will be flying in the show, providing a reminder of the considerable advance in the 10 years since the Bleriot achievement.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Hurricane and Spitfire fighters and Lancaster bomber evoke the years of WWII, well supported by other warbird types such as the P-51D Mustang fighter and Boeing B25 bomber. The Royal Navy Historic Flight add lustre with their Fairey Swordfish, known affectionately by aircrew as the ‘Stringbag’, and the Seafire 17, a carrier –borne version of the Spitfire.

The post WWII years are well represented by the superbly preserved Gloster Meteor, Hawker Hunter and North American F86 Sabre.

Helicopters at the show include the Army’s awesome Apache, which makes a debut appearance. The AAC Blue Eagles, RN Black Cats and the Indian Air Force team The Sarangs are three top-flight helicopter teams who will each bring distinctive rotary wing routines to the daily display.

International visitors from Europe include the Breitling Team with a sensational new display in their 7-ship formation of L-39 Albatros jets. The team also features a brand new livery. (www.breitling-jet-team.com). They will be joined by the French air Force Mirage and F16 fighters of the Danish Air Force.

The dynamic Blades Team of four Extra 300 aircraft flown by former members of the RAF Red Arrows team, now in their 3rd year, is certain to impress with the 2008 display routine.

Air Fair 08 will mark the 90th anniversary of the Royal Air Force, founded in 1918 as successor to the Royal Flying Corp. The RAF’s Role Demonstration in the form of a 30-minute scenario presents a convincing showing of 21st century air power. Impressive pyrotechnics will add to realism.

In the Motoring Village, a daily presentation of 100+ classic cars will be featured. Supercars such as Ferrari and Lamborghini will be on show, also Harley Davidson motor cycles.

For further information please contact Air Displays International Ltd on 01959 572277 or see their website www.airdisplaysint.co.uk .