Airbourne 2026 Preview *Updated*

Hello again everyone! Unfortunately the news we all feared was confirmed and the Red Arrows are still stuck in Canada and unable to perform this weekend. So I wanted to give you an updated Airbourne preview to include the new acts that have been announced.

The Airbourne organisers deserve a massive round of applause for managing to get replacement acts in the form of an old favourite and an aircraft completely new to Eastbourne as well as securing the RAF Tutor Display for an additional day on Thursday (more from them below). As always keep an eye on the Flying List for any further updates. 

B17 Flying Fortress 'Sally B' (Fri, Sat, Sun)

It's been a long time since Sally B visited us and she's bound to receive a warm welcome back when she appears. Sally B is one of the final airworthy flying fortresses in the world and currently the only one flying in Europe so she is a special old lady. I've been lucky enough to see her at Duxford frequently over the last few seasons and she's always a poignant and impressive sight. 

In the sunshine at Duxford back in July

Firecat (Sat, Sun)

A new aircraft for Airbourne that I'm really excited to see is the Firecat . Restored in France a couple of years ago it will be a performing a demo of picking up and and spraying water like it does to fight fires. I used to see these a lot when we used to holiday in the south of France so seeing one will be really nostalgic for me. 

Photo from the operator website

The Starlings (Sat, Sun)

The Starlings are back for 2026 with their exciting display from aerobatic champions Michael Pickin & Tom Cassells. I've seen them twice this season so far at Headcorn & Farnborough airshows and their display is not to be missed. 

Performing at the 2024 show

Their display at Headcorn Airshow -

RAF Tutor (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun)

The first of the RAF displays comes from the Tutor Display Team. They've been a great supporter of the show over the years and a chance to see the first type of aircraft that RAF pilots train on. The display is always fun to photograph as you can see from last year.

Jet Pitts (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun)

Rich Goodwin returns in his ever-popular Jet Pitts for a fast, furious and at times gravity defying display. His aircraft has been fitted with jet engines to add even more noise & excitement to the display. I've seen him this year already at Duxford's Summer Airshow and can't wait for a repeat performance in the skies over Eastbourne. 

At Duxford in July

Last year's show

Royal Navy Black Cats (Thurs, Fri, sat, Sun)

One of my favourite displays from last year returns as a solo display from the Royal Navy Black Cats with their Wildcat. The Wildcat is such a cool looking & sounding helicopter and the pilots show off it's excellent manoeuvrability. This is the solo wildcat on the Thursday last year.

Wasp (Thurs, Fri)

Continuing the naval rotary theme is a newcomer to the show from the Navy Wings Wasp. The Wasp was one of the first helicopters in service with the Royal Navy and it will be joining it's modern Wildcat counterpart for a special formation. Here it is at Bournemouth airshow a couple of years ago. 

Red Devils (Sat, Sun)

The British Army will be 'dropping in' over the weekend with their parachute team the Red Devils look out for the massive union flag that they carry as a finale to their show. 

At Farnborough last month

The Red Arrows aren't the only ones to fly a tornado

So impressive

 P51 Mustang 'Miss Marinell' (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun)

Miss Marinell  is a newcomer to the warbird scene and is flown beautifully by Isabel Rutland. Her graceful display and the Miss Marinell's roaring Merlin engine was the highlight of Headcorn Airshow back in June. 

RAF Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun)

On the subject of Merlin Engines the RAF's Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight will be performing on all four days of the show. With their Lancaster undergoing an 18 month maintenance programme the team's Douglas Dakota will be flying for the first time since 2021. Seeing the BBMF is a poignant reminder of those who gave & continue to give their lives in service of our country. 

The Dakota at Trooping The Colour in June

Showing it's iconic shape at Duxford

The Hurricane & Spitfire at Headcorn

MIG 17 (Thurs, Fri, Sat)

An exciting new visitor to the show is Fubar Aviation's MIG 17. I loved it at Duxford and I think it will look fantastic over the sea. Look out for it's incredibly long candle-like afterburner. 

The aforementioned afterburner

RAF Typhoon (Fri, Sat, Sun)

The noisiest participant of the show is of course the Typhoon thundering in. Certainly not the time to be trying to hold a conversation! I love the awesome noise and afterburner firing it across the sky. 

A nice topside pass at last year's show

I've only seen this year's Typhoon in a couple of very brief snippets when it opened Farnborough Airshow in a joint flypast. 

It was due to fly at Duxford but had to pull out due to a problem with the aircraft's radio. But judging by his run in it's low and fast!

So after these brief encounters I feel I'm due a nice eardrum-rattling display along the beach! 

These are the other acts appearing at the show -

'Spirit Of Kent' Spitfire (Fri, Sat, Sun) - Some more Merlin magic

Stampe Formation (Thurs, Fri) - Fun, colourful biplanes

AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun) - Family favourites

It's shaping up to be another great year with *whispers* the weather forecast looking great. 

There's even an ever-growing range of merchandise that you can buy to support the show's future. 

I feel that this mug will be moving in with me ...

I hope everyone heading to the show has a great time and please please please support the show by buying a programme, popping some pennies in the buckets or making a donation. 

See you on the beach!

Love Jen

XxxX

Farnborough Airshow - A fond return

 

Last week I went back to Farnborough Airshow for the first time in years. When I last went in 2016 (read my blog here) it was on the chilly and grey side, luckily last week the sun continued to shine on us for a perfect airshow day. 

Unlike RIAT (yes I'm still miffed about it's cancellation) with it's military displays Farnborough is a trade show which means the most up to date aviation technology is on display.

One of the most impressive displays was this Vertical Aerospace VA-1X

 

Joining it in the flying display was BETA Technologies CX300

On the ground there were aircraft to look at including this GE 747 & DHL 777

And a familiar shape of an RAF A400M -

After a wander around the static aircraft I found a spot for the flying display just in time to see the F35 being towed out ready for it's display (more on that later).

The show was opened by a flypast from 2 RAF Typhoons. 

Literally dropping in were the British Army Red Devils parachute team. 

The Red Arrows aren't the only team to perform Tornado!

Flying the flag for Farnborough

The most impressive part of their display is the carrying of this giant union flag.

The Red Devils are coming to Airbourne in a couple of weeks and I'm looking forward to seeing them again. 

After great displays last year at Duxford's Summer Airshow and RIAT the Army Air Corps Display Team were back and better than ever. 

Apache pair

Wildcat

Waves from the Wildcat crew

It wasn't only the military aircraft putting on impressive displays. There was the lovely-looking Bombardier Global 8000 which flew a graceful display and the Airbus A350 which put on the tightest large aircraft display I've ever seen - barely leaving the confines of the airfield.

A350

Global 8000

The noise increased when the Italian Typhoon took to the skies. It flew a brilliant display as you'll see here. 

I loved the art on it's tail

The most colourful display of the day was from Fursan Al Emarat with their howling L-15s which sounded fantastic. 

There was a vintage jet too in the form of the Czech L159 ALCA with a series of flypasts that showed off it's shape perfectly.

The noisiest participant of the day was the USAF F35A Demonstration . From the moment of it's ear-splitting take off the whole display was breathtaking and definitely the highlight of my day. 

 

Kicking up vapour on another tight turn.

The finale to the day came from the RAF Chinook Role Demo who arrived carrying a land-rover and treated us to tight turns, reversing along the runway and of course the iconic waving hands!

Carrying it's cargo

Being photobombed by the RAF A400M

You can find highlights of the show including the A350, VA-1X and Air Corps team here -

Next up is Airbourne in a couple of weeks - keep your fingers crossed for dry weather!

Love Jen

XxxX