Clouds may gather but the air show must go on

THE fate of RAF Leuchars as a frontline base may have already have been sealed, but organisers of its annual airshow are hoping this weekend’s celebration will be its greatest yet.

The government’s controversial strategic defence review decided that the Fife site would no longer be an airbase and move to become an army barracks.

But the organisers of today’s show at the Fife airfield are determined that this year’s air spectacular will be the biggest and best ever staged as a celebration of 100 years of military aviation in north-east Fife – a proud heritage which began in 1911 when a balloon squadron of the Royal Engineers set up a training camp in Tentsmuir Forest.

A crowd of 50,000 is expected to descend on Leuchars this morning to watch the only Battle of Britain Air Show still being staged in the UK – and the second largest non-sporting outdoor event held every year in Scotland.

Heading the impressive array of aircraft will be the eight top guns of the RAF’s famed Red Arrows aerobatic display team, who will be making their first public appearance in Scotland in the skies over Leuchars since the tragic death of team member, Flight Lt John Egging, 33, killed last month following an appearance by the pilots at the Bournemouth Air Festival.

But the highlights of the air show will be the historic flypast by the last airworthy Vulcan bomber, restored by volunteers at the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, and the appearance of the Dakota and the iconic Spitfire and Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at RAF Coningsby.

Fears that this year’s show could be the last ever staged were raised in July follow the announcement that Leuchars had lost its fight to survive as a frontline airbase and plans for the Fife site to become an army barracks.

But yesterday Sqdn Ldr John Greenhowe, the air show’s director, revealed that he would be starting to plan the 2012 air show on Monday morning. He told The Scotsman: “Certainly I have received no direction that this would be last Leuchars air show and my current understanding, from my commanders, is that such a decision will be taken at a much higher level. It is my intention that, on Monday morning, we draw the lessons from this year’s show and we start planning for next year. I have no reason to doubt that at the present time.”

Sqdn Ldr Greenhowe, who has been in the RAF since 1995, saw action on Tornados in the Middle East and is a former display director at the air show, said: “Clearly, as the show director I am hoping this year’s show will be the biggest and best yet. But there are obviously challenges that we don’t control – the weather. But the forecast is that it will be good weather from late morning onwards.”

The RAF, he stressed, had also addressed the criticisms about the traffic chaos at last year’s show.

Sqdn Ldr Greenhowe said: “In terms of the infrastructure and the adverse criticisms we have had in the past, we have worked very hard with Fife Constabulary and the public transportation networks to come up with very good traffic scheme.

“We have learned and we listen to our public and the feedback and we want to make it an enjoyable day out for everyone.”

RAF Leuchars first staged a “Battle of Britain at home day” on 20 September 1947 when the show attracted 4,000 spectators. And Sqdn Ldr Greenhowe said the air show remained an important way for the service to thank the members of the public - both locally and further afield - for their support.

He said: “It’s the opportunity for the public and our friends in Scotland and the wider areas of northern England to come and see the Royal Air Force. It is our opportunity to let the public see what we do. Clearly, one of our key aims is to protect the citizens of the United Kingdom, patrolling the UK skies 365 days a year and 24 hours day.

“We have a very good reputation in the area and it is an opportunity for us to say thank you to the public – not just the people of Fife but to the wider community in Scotland.”

He added: “It’s the second largest public event in Scotland after T in the Park and certainly the largest air show in Scotland and, along with Jersey and Guernsey, the last air show dedicated to the Battle of Britain.

“It is still a very popular event with something for all an enjoyable day out. And I think that what makes it so special is the fact that, as one of the RAF’s standing and sponsored events, we can attract some of the world’s premier display teams.”

In addition to the appearance by the Red Arrows, today’s show will also mark the only appearance at an air display in Britain by the flying aces of the French aerobatic team, Patrouille de France.

Wing Cmdr Nick Stringer, the director of the flying display at this year’s air show, said: “We are delighted to be able to confirm the involvement of the Red Arrows. Their willingness to resume public flying displays in the wake of such a tragedy speaks volumes for their professionalism.”

He added: “This year’s air show celebrates 100 years of military aviation in North East Fife and our flying display will feature RAF aircraft past and present. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the iconic Vulcan bomber will be appearing alongside the Typhoon and Tornado GR4 aircraft that are at the heart of current RAF operations and are flown by squadrons here in Scotland.

“There is also a strong international representation this year, including the Patrouille de France – the French equivalent to our own Red Arrows.”

Drivers heading for the air show are advised to expect delays and to leave plenty of time for their journey. Fife Constabulary has warned of serious traffic congestion across the area as tens of thousands of people head to and from the event.