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31 May - 2 June 2024 | Ragley Hall, Warwickshire | www.midlandsairfestival.com/tickets
Christmas is traditionally a time of nice surprises and Trev and James would like to give all our lovely audience a nice little present and something to look forward to in the depths of winter!
The Midlands Air Festival is delighted to welcome world famous French display pilot Frederic Akary, who will fly his stunning F86 Sabre M6 jet fighter at next year’s festival!
This Sabre was built by Canadair for the German Luftwaffe. Frederic, or Fred to his friends, runs Mistral Warbirds and is based at Avignon in France. He is also famous for displaying a Hawker Sea Fury and the much loved ‘Moonbeam Mc Swine’ P51D Mustang. The Sabre is powered by an Orenda 14 engine producing 7,400lbs of thrust and a sea level top speed of 697mph. It was armed with 6x 50cal machine guns, rockets, bombs and sidewinder air to air missiles. During the Korean war the Sabre downed its main opponent, the Russian Mig 15 at a ratio of 10 to 1. Also, Jacqueline Cochran became the first female pilot in the world to break the sound barrier, in a Mk3 Sabre.
We guarantee the Sabre will be a spectacular display in the intimate surroundings of the historic Ragley Hall estate and we have more exciting news to come in the new year, so don’t wait to get your tickets! We sold out on every day this year and our tickets sales are much more advanced than last year at the moment. Premier parking is already running low. Standard parking and children under 13 are free. Ticket prices will never be lower than they are now, so get in first and ensure you get your front row seat! www.midlandsairfestival.com/tickets
31 May - 2 June 2024 | Ragley Hall, Warwickshire | www.midlandsairfestival.com/tickets
The Midlands Air Festival is delighted to give you all a nice early Christmas present with the participation of the rare de Havilland Vampire T11 classic jet WZ507 at the Festival!
It was built at de Havilland in Christchurch in 1952 and was taken into service in 1954 with 229 operational conversion unit. It is the only Vampire currently on the UK register.
To keep any vintage aircraft in the sky is a massive task but a classic jet is even more difficult. Mark Hooton, the trustee of Vampire Preservation and the chief pilot, formed a small support group to help keep this fantastic aircraft in the air and to expose its history and excitement to the British public.
The Vampire will perform all too rare displays for us on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June. Don’t miss this fantastic aircraft tear up the sky over the beautiful grounds of the Ragley Hall Estate, as part of our stunning air show and balloon festival line ups.
Still just time to buy someone special a ticket for a last minute gift or to get yours sorted before we sell out. Children are currently free under 13 and standard parking is also free. If you require Premium parking DONT WAIT they are running low on all three days! www.midlandsairfestival.com/tickets
Last year, I seem to remember it used one of the North Eastern airports - Newcastle or Teesside maybe...??
Based out of Teesside for the Sunday. Was initally intended to be Norwich but they wouldn't let it use the drag chute, which probably would have avoided all the ATC issues it faced last yearSeahornet1 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 1:56 pmLast year, I seem to remember it used one of the North Eastern airports - Newcastle or Teesside maybe...??
From memory, the story goes that it was due into Norwich, but as soon as the airport realised it would involve a drag-chute, they got cold feet - hence a frantic need for a new operating location, ending up flying from Teesside.Seahornet1 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 1:56 pmLast year, I seem to remember it used one of the North Eastern airports - Newcastle or Teesside maybe...??
Thanks for the clarification, makes sense now!jamyt123 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 2:11 pmBased out of Teesside for the Sunday. Was initally intended to be Norwich initially but they wouldn't let it use the drag chute, which probably would have avoided all the ATC issues it faced last yearSeahornet1 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 1:56 pmLast year, I seem to remember it used one of the North Eastern airports - Newcastle or Teesside maybe...??
Vampire now replaced by the Yellowjacks Gnat G-MOUR, appearing on Saturday and Sunday according to the website.
https://www.midlandsairfestival.com/air-displays.htmlSadly we have had a dose of the gremlins and unfortunately due to technical reasons the vampire wont be able to display at this year’s Midlands Air Festival. Mark Hooton has been flat out trying to get his engine reassembled and track down the parts needed but the clock has beaten him this time. Keeping old aircraft airworthy can be a nightmare so we thank Mark for is efforts and will see the Vampire back next year.
We have managed to secure a replacement in the shape of the magnificent Folland, Gnat G-MOUR. This Gnat first flew in 1964 and was operated by RAF 4 FTS until 1978. In 1990 she was purchased by Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd, who carried out a restoration and put her in the RAF Yellowjacks livery. She was subsequently sold to the Gnat Display Team based in North Weald who are the current operators.