Red Arrows high point of air show

Published on 30/07/2012 12:54

MORE than 11,000 people turned out to see a spectacular display from the Red Arrows at the East Fortune Air Show.

Spectators who braved erratic weather were also treated to a recreation of a First World War dogfight, and saw a host of vintage planes at the East Lothian airfield.

Paul Hazelwood, visitor services manager at the National Museum of Flight, said the success of Saturday’s event had cemented the air show’s place as one of the premier annual attractions in East Lothian.

“It went really well,” he said. “It was pretty wet at times but we managed to get everything flying. The big wow factor was the Red Arrows – they were the ones people had come to see. They were flying against quite a dark sky so they stood out well. At the museum we normally get about 80,000 visitors a year and at the air show we had between 11,000 and 12,000 in one day.”

It was the first time in five years that the Red Arrows made an appearance at the event. There were also ground-based attractions on offer, including a motocross display team, the chance to meet a UH1 “Huey” helicopter pilot and the crew from a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter, as well as the chance to fly a Spitfire in a flight simulator.

The audience took to Twitter to share their experiences of the air show, and there was little doubt as to what the most popular attraction had been.

Photographer Will O’Mailley tweeted: “Brilliant air show at East Fortune today – the Red Arrows were stunning!”

Dianne Harris added: “Had a lovely day out at East Fortune Air Show with my boys! We even got to see the Red Arrows, awesome!”

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