Red Arrows Headline Scotland’s National Airshow as Tickets Go on Sale
Saturday 23 July 2016, 10am-5pm
National Museum of Flight, East Fortune, East Lothian
The Red Arrows will once again headline Scotland’s National Airshow on Saturday 23 July when the spectacular summer event takes to the skies at the National Museum of Flight at East Fortune. Tickets go on sale today, 29 April 2016, and are available at special early bird prices until 8 July.
Famed for their awe-inspiring formations, precision flying and dramatic aerobatics, the Red Arrows return for their 52nd flying season at this summer’s Airshow. The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team the Red Arrows will be supported by two other RAF display teams including the Typhoon, a combat aircraft that can fly at twice the speed of sound.
Joining the line-up for the very first time are the Swiss Air Force PC-7 Team in nine Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainers and the Norwegian Air Force Historic Squadron in a MiG 15 UTI and two de Havilland Vampires.
2016 marks 80 years since the first Spitfire flight, and it will be joined by two other iconic heritage aircraft – the Lancaster and the Hawker Hurricane – from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The Spitfire is considered to be the most successful fighter plane ever made, while only six airworthy Hurricanes are left in the UK.
Other aircraft set to wow audiences on the day include the Black Cats Lynx helicopter formation team; a Catalina flying boat which was one of the most widely used seaplanes of the Second World War; a Fairey Swordfish biplane; a Stolp Starduster biplane and a Bucker Jungmann bi-plane. They will perform alongside a stellar line-up of aircraft spanning a century of aviation.
Steve McLean, General Manager at the National Museum of Flight, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome the ever-popular Red Arrows back to East Fortune this summer for another action-packed Airshow. They will perform as part of a stellar line-up featuring everything from iconic historic aircraft to marvels of modern aviation. Visitors to the Airshow can also explore the Museum, including two Second World War hangars which opened in March following a major redevelopment and tell the stories of military and civil aviation over the past century. With adrenaline-fuelled entertainment in the air and a varied programme of activities on the ground, it promises to be one of the best family days out in Scotland.”
Located at East Fortune, a military airfield dating back to the First World War, the National Museum of Flight will be open for visitors to explore. Highlights include two newly redeveloped hangars displaying military and civil aircraft, Scotland’s supersonic Concorde, Fortunes of War, which tells the stories of those that served at East Fortune, and Fantastic Flight, full of interactive exhibits and family fun. On the ground, there will be a range of family entertainment and activities, and food and drink.
Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 0300 123 6789, and at the gate on the day. Discounts are available for advance booking. Further details can be found at www.nms.ac.uk/airshow.
Tickets are priced:
Early bird tickets available until Friday 8 July only
Adult £19, concession £17.50, child £9.50 (under 5s free), family (two adults, two children) £49
National Museums Scotland Members tickets available until Friday 8 July only
Adult £16, concession £14.50, child £8 (under 5s free), family (two adults, two children) £41.50
Full price (from 9 July and on the day)
Adult £22, concession £19, child £10 (under 5s free), family (two adults, two children) £55
Parking £5, Programme £5
Event programme correct on date of issue. Programme subject to change.
For further information and images please contact Alice Wyllie, Susan Gray or Bruce Blacklaw, press office, National Museums Scotland: a.wyllie@nms.ac.uk / 0131 247 4288.
Note to Editors
National Museums Scotland looks after museum collections of national and international importance and provides loans, partnerships, research and training in Scotland and internationally. Our individual museums are the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum. The National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh houses conservation and research facilities as well as collections not currently on display.