The 14th LTS Rail Southend Airshow is all set to take to the skies this Sunday and Monday.

With warm and sunny weather forecast bumper crowds are expected to flood in to enjoy the two days of spectacular flying and land-based entertainment in what is Europe's largest free airshow.

With the cancellation of the annual airshow at Mildenhall in Suffolk even more people are exepcted to attend.

The cancellation also means that the RAF Falcons parachute team will be performing on both days, along with a host of other flying talent, with Sunday's show set to be rounded off with a major fireworks display from Southend Pier.

There will also be a wide range of activities on the ground to keep everyone entertained between air displays.

The star attraction at this year's airshow will once again be the breathtaking display from the Red Arrows. Up to 22 death-defying moves will form this crack display squad's routine for both airshow days, including exotic manoeuvres like the Concorde Bend, Big Vixen Roll, Shotgun, Caterpillar, and Twizzle.

This year Colchester-born pilot Flight Lieutenant Dicky Patounas will be flying Red 7 - part of the synchro pair performing some of the more spectacular stunts.

The legendary Parachute Regiment Red Devils free fall team will make their debut on the first day of the airshow.

Formed in 1964, the group became the official Army parachute display team in 1979.

Two teams of Devils - black and red - will give separate displays at the same time as they jump from 10,000ft.

The 24 members of the squad will free fall at speeds up to 180mph with smoke trails streaming from their ankles before they open parachutes and demonstrate canopy formation flying.

Other attractions will include the spectacular bi-plane wing walk team, the Utterly Butterly Barnstormers. Their high-energy aerobatic stunts remain as breath-taking as always as the planes put on an exhilarating display of loops, rolls and stall turns at speeds of around 90mph.

Headline planes putting in an appearance include the nostalgic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight of Lancaster bomber, Spitfire and Hurricane fighters, Harrier, Tornado and Canberra bomber.

Some of the planes taking part in the display will be calling in at Southend Airport, where visitors to the airport's Open Day and Evening Echo Motorshow will be able to see them taking off.

With the seafront shut to traffic from the Kursaal to Crowstone Avenue, Westcliff and many parking restrictions, police are advising visitors to travel by public transport, with LTS Rail suggesting Westcliff, Chalkwell or Southend Central stations for grandstand views and quickest access to the airshow attractions.

Ring the LTS Rail Southend Airshow Hotline 01702 390333 for full show programme.

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