Left – WW2 Spitfire and Lancaster bomber over Folkestone Harbour- Right- The Lancaster turning – Photos: Ray Duff
By Ray Duff – Once again Folkestone was thronged with tens of thousands of locals and visitors across The Leas, seafront beaches, Harbour Arm and East Cliff, who had come to enjoy the annual air displays.
During the day people were also able to visit the many other attractions during the event sited along the broad Leas area
At the furthest end of the Leas a large collection of vintage cars had been assembled on both Saturday and Sunday, whilst many stalls, a fun fair and vintage WW2 aircraft and vehicles were positioned between these and the Leas Cliff Hall and beyond, as the Bandstand music rang out on both days.
At around 12.20 on Sunday the famous Battle of Britain flight of an Avro Lancaster and Spitfire both making passes whilst people jockeyed for taking the best photos.
Later in the afternoon a Chinook helicopter also performed several swooping passes offshore followed by a Puma.
The event was rounded off by the arrival of the famous RAF Red Arrows which had left Southend airport shortly before; roaring in above the Leas Cliff Hall then speeding out over the Channel before returning to perform several spectacular aerial displays along the coastline and offshore.
These included the intricate ‘corkscrew’ and ‘Apollo’ formations.
During the displays Squadron Leader Cmdr Graeme Muscat, known as ‘Red 10’ broadcast a commentary from the Leas Cliff hall vantage point, whilst he was in touch with lead aircraft Red1.
Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves, including ‘yours truly’ and like many hope the event can be repeated annually from now onwards.