Airbourne 2025 Preview

 

It's that time of year already! Airbourne is mere days away and as is now traditional, here are my picks for what I'm most looking forward to seeing on the beach this year. 

A brief public service announcement before we get started, Airbourne needs donation to keep flying each year as it receives no support from the local council (the show is entirely crowdfunded) so if you have a few pennies spare then please consider a donation here or pop some change in the buckets on the seafront (you know you want to 😉).

There's only one way to start off the preview and that's of course with ..

The Red Arrows

Performing 'Tornado' last year

The Reds are back all 4 days this year after kindly squeezing us onto the day before they were due to fly to Canada last year .

9 Arrow Cross last year

Anyone who's read my blogs about Airbourne previously know that the absolute pinnacle of my summer is when those 9 red hawks shoot over the crowd into their display. 

I've been lucky enough to see the Reds already this year at Goodwood Festival Of Speed and RIAT (you can read my review here) and their display is fantastic.  They've kept my favourite '9 Arrow Cross' manoeuvre from last year and also added a new cross 'The Chainsaw'. Keep an eye out for their sky-filling finale break too. 

Running into their RIAT display last month

Synchro pair at RIAT

RIAT display -

Melanie Astles Extra 330

A new-to-Airbourne display that I'm really excited about is Melanie Astles in her Extra 300. Melanie is a Aerobatic champion and has competed in the Red Bull Air Race (on my airshow bucket list). Judging by this video I found on YouTube we're in for a real spectacle!

Jet Pitts

2024's show

Continuing with the aerobatic theme Rich Goodwin is back in his Jet Pitts. The Jet Pitts has become a real crowd pleaser here in Eastbourne due to Rich's fast-tempo display contrasted with the sight of the aircraft hanging in the air. This video from his 2023 display will give you an idea of what's in store.

P51-D Mustang 'Moonbeam McSwine'

Moonbeam only arrived in the UK earlier this year and I believe Airbourne is amongst her first UK displays. Since I haven't been introduced to her yet and been able to photograph here, I feel a photo of my own Mustang is appropriate ...

And it would be rude not to include Maverick too!

Rolls Royce Spitfire

Last year

Returning this year is the Rolls Royce Heritage Flight's Spitfire. I'm looking forward to another graceful display accompanied by the growl of her Griffon engine.

Catching the light at RIAT

Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight

2023

Any preview I could write for the BBMF will always feel inadequate so all I'll say is savour the roar of the Merlin engines of the Spitfire, Hurricane & Lancaster and enjoy the 'museum without walls'. This will be Eastbourne's last chance to see the Lancaster until 2027 as she is due to go into 18-month deep maintenance at the close of this season.

Passing the pier last year

Royal Navy Black Cats

A welcome return after almost 15 years to the Royal Navy Black Cats! They last appeared at the show in 2011 (including keeping my brother and I entertained on a cold, windy Thursday when they were the only thing that flew 😂) and it's great to have them back. 

2011

They were one of the highlights of my airshow season last year and I'm looking forward to seeing them here (minus the 2011 weather).

RIAT 2025

Next up we have a couple of vintage jets -

Strikemaster

We last saw the Strikemaster back in 2023 on a warm and sunny weekend where it glinted beautifully in the light.  Don't let it's relatively quiet engine  fool you this small jet packs quite the punch with it's impressive climb rate. It's trainer variant the Jet Provost is flying on Thursday and Friday.

Vampire

Airbourne 2023

The Norwegian Historic Squadron is bringing their cold war era Vampire all 4 days of the show. Vampires are one of my favourite vintage jets with their iconic 'twin boom' tail. 

A400M Atlas

This week we had an exciting last minute addition to the show when it was announced that the RAF are sending an A400M to perform flypasts on Thursday and Friday. I love the A400M and an aircraft of it's size low along the seafront is going to be really impressive. 

Over London earlier this year.

Typhoon

My final pick for the preview is of course the RAF Typhoon.

'Moggy' last year

It's fast, it's furious and most importantly LOUD. If you like aviation photography then the vapour that it always kicks up makes for some great photos (in my humble opinion).

2024

This year's display is absolutely phenomenal and when you're waiting for it to arrive you may want to look behind you 😉😎

I hope you've enjoyed my pick of the displays. You can see the full display line-up including other aircraft such as the Jet Provost, Stampe Formation etc here.

All that's left to say is enjoy yourselves and keep everything crossed for good weather!

Love Jen

XxxX

RIAT 2025 Review

 

Last week I was back in my happy place at RIAT after a bit of a rubbish year losing Mum, my bunny Merlin suddenly passing away and a few other taxing moments it was great to be back in Autistic heaven 😂

I went by train again and got my own RAF escort on the way to Swindon. 

I was also excited to see the Uffington Horse from the train (I am aware I need to get out more).

I stayed at the Swindon Premier Inn once again which was the perfect location for the nearby bus station to get into the show each day. I also got a preview of what was to come for the next few days when my room got buzzed by an RAF A400M.

I was up ridiculously early each morning and was on the first shuttle buses of each day at 6.30am (this may not have been the 'getting out more' that has been suggested to me ...)

All aboard

Friday was the only 'good weather' day and we were spoilt with bright sunshine making the aircraft who had colourful paint really pop. 

The Red Arrows were waiting at the gate for me

Jordanian Hercules

The Pakistani Hercules was also painted fantastically

In my Preview Blog I listed their JF-17C Thunder as one of the statics I was most looking forward to and it looks even cooler in real life. 

They also brought this enormous IL-76.

The first jets of the day came courtesy of the arrival of two Typhoons 

To give you an idea of the size of the static park at RIAT these were just the first aircraft I came across. On Friday around half the static park is open including the RAF Zone (where I climbed on an A400M last year). 

It seemed to have survived the experience!

Crazy looking plane

RAF row - Typhoon, F35 & Juno

The R4D Ready For Duty was also in attendance, I met her back in June at Duxford.

The Luftwaffe brought some cool aircraft including this tiger-painted Typhoon -

And a Tornado!

I really regret not going on this simulator, it would have been like being in Top Gun!

Another of my 'looking forward to' aircraft was this Egyptian AN-74T -

After that small stretch of the legs it was time to settle down for the flying display!

Let's go!

The show opened with the SAAB Gripen -

There were a couple of 'Friday exclusives' including a flypast from an RAF Rivet Joint -

And a literally explosive display from one of the highlight's from Duxford's summer show, The Army Air Corps Display Team complete with epic pyro!

Rolls Royce Heritage Flight Spitfire

Portuguese Merlin

RAF F35

One of the highlights of the weekend was the Finnish F18, it flew twice each day as there were two different pilots.

The show was closed by the Red Arrows. 

You can catch more of Friday's highlights here -

Saturday and Sunday unfortunately decided to channel 2023's weather 😑

Early again at the bus stop

The view after hiding under a random gazebo in the RAF Zone

Hiding from the rain

The entire static park was open for the weekend -

Hunter

I used to love seeing the Fouga Magisters at Airbourne

The BBMF Lancaster had flown in the evening before and was able to operate from Fairford all weekend. Meaning we were able to see her take off each day. 

The USAF C5 Galaxy was on my 'must see' list and I was able to get up close and even go onboard!

When the flying display started I positioned myself at the far end of the runway to get a different perspective on the take offs. One of the best came from the RAF Typhoon -

Due to the soggy weather there was a lot of vapour!

Italy's Frecce Tricolori display at the weekend lighting up the cloudy skies with their colourful smoke. 

They also kindly liked some of my posts on Instagram!

There was also a Frecce themed pairing from this Master (the aircraft soon to be used by the team) and 'Gina' (the aircraft previously used by the team)

For those like me who enjoy helicopters there was plenty on show this year.

Czech Sokol 'Search & Rescue'

The German Army NH90 is always one of my favourites

RAF Chinook role demo

I saw the Red Arrows take off nice and close -

A new move for this year 'The Chainsaw'

They also flew in formation with the RAF's new Wedgetail aircraft.

The Luftwaffe A400M put on a really dynamic display

I love seeing big transport aircraft being thrown around like fighters, including this Italian C27J Spartan 

F18

Polish F16 Tiger Demo -

A pleasant surprise came from the French Navy Atlantique with a graceful display -

There was a U2 from the US Airforce -

One of my favourite aircraft from last year was the Danish F16 and it appeared for the final time before it's retirement. It was still in it's 50th anniversary paintwork from last year's show. 

Saturday's highlights -

Sunday was soggy again and my rain poncho was on and off constantly. I didn't take the 'big' camera in as quite honestly I was knackered from carrying it for 7 hours a day the previous 2 days. I photographed and videoed on my video camera and phone so the quality wasn't nearly as good.

Hiding from the rain again

I was able to get a head on photo of the Pakistani Hercules

RAF F35

A 'Sunday exclusive' was this flypast from an RAF Globemaster -

The award for the best soundtracked display goes to the Spanish Typhoon. They played 'Danger Zone'  from Top Gun (alway a win), 'Welcome To The Jungle' by Guns N Roses and Led Zeppelin's 'Immigrant Song' 

The RAF Typhoon's display is fantastic this year and their award for the best solo jet display at this year's show was well deserved!

Thank you for the Instagram mention too guys!

Master and Gina

Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight

The Red Arrows

I sat at the other end of the runway (admittedly to be closer to the shuttle bus as I was knackered after 2 days of walking) which meant I was able to get a good view of the aircraft as they landed. Such as the Danish F16 -

Sunday's highlights -

Because the runway is so long it meant I was able to sit at 3 completely different points along it's length which meant I got to see some fantastic take offs from different angles. 

It was great to do all 3 days of the show and eradicate any FOMO. Next year I need to find a way of doing the Friday & Saturday in a little less overwhelming way as on Sunday morning I woke up so 😱 I had to give myself a stern talking to and make myself get out of bed. Perhaps splitting the static over the 3 days is the answer. 

Next up is Airbourne in less than a week, watch out for my preview blog in the next few days!

And yes RIAT 2026 tickets and accomodation are booked 😁

Love Jen

XxxX