Greece is the word as Red Arrows practice for the Haven Great Yarmouth Air Show
A piece of Greece is playing the part of Great Yarmouth as the RAF's Red Arrows perfect their precision routines for the summer season.
The Norfolk resort, hosting the UK's newest air show next month, will be the fourth stop on the crack aerobatic team's busy 60-show schedule.
Team supervisor and commentator Squadron Leader Adam Collins, who is a former RAF Marham Tornado pilot, said: "It is really exciting coming to a new venue - and I am looking forward to coming back to Norfolk."
He will fly the Red 10 spare plane into its show base, Norwich Airport, then head to the Golden Mile to describe the team's display to seafront crowds through the PA system commentary.
He and the team are currently in Greece, on the annual pre-season Exercise Springhawk training trip, practising their displays at a series of locations to replicate the airfield, inland and coastal venues they will perform at in 2018.
They include coastal resorts which mirror the "straight coast" set up at Great Yarmouth.
Squadron Leader Collins made an initial "ground recce" at the resort a few weeks ago to access the area for the team's upcoming displays on both days of the June 16-17 show.
"Great Yarmouth doesn't present any significant challenges, once we have taken into account the wildlife and wind farms," he said.
"We have three types of display - full, rolling and flat - depending on the conditions, and once we have set the routines for the season we try not to deviate from them. "
The display elements are still be finalised but will include a mix of old favourites, such as the heart, and new additions which are under wraps until the season begins.
The Haven Great Yarmouth Air Show features flying on both Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 1pm to 5pm. Other highlights include the Great War Display Team and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Organisers, the Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area, are encouraging visitors to arrive early and book their park and ride service or premium seafront parking as soon as possible via the website Air Show (opens new window)
Win a flight in a classic flying boat
A wartime flying boat is offering the chance to fly on board the classic aircraft just days after it thrills the air show crowds.
The 1943 Catalina is one of the vintage stars of the two-day flying programme. The aircraft has a proud history of saving lives during war and peace - with search and rescue duties and as a "flying fire engine" bombing forest blazes.
There are six places available to win on the air show Facebook page - with three winners able to bring a guest for a noon take off on Wednesday June 20 from the aircraft's base at Duxford in Cambridgeshire.
People simply have to "like" the post and comment 'I would love to take a trip in the Catalina' to enter before the May 31 midnight deadline. The winners will be picked at random on June 1 and notified by direct message.
Visit the Facebook page @GreatYarmouthAirShow
Press release issued on behalf of Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area, May 8, 2018
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