Red Arrows News

RAF wows Swansea as Wales Airshow returns

Image shows the Red Arrows perform with red, white and blue colour trails, over a beach. Family watch from deck chairs, with a Welsh flag.

The RAF Red Arrows was back with a bang in the skies over Swansea this weekend as the Wales Airshow returned for the first since 2019.

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Over two days, crowds lining the waterfront were treated to stunning air displays, interactive ground activities and family entertainment.

The World-famous RAF Red Arrows wowed as always, including a special formation to honour Her Majesty The Queen in her Platinum Jubilee year. This is called the Jubilee Present and features all seven jets turning in front of the crowd with patriotic red, white and blue colours trailing.

"As a team, the Red Arrows were thrilled to perform at the Wales Airshow. We always receive such a warm and enthusiastic response to our display here.

Swansea Bay provides a brilliant, natural amphitheatre and it’s very satisfying to know as a display pilot that tens of thousands of people – many of them families – are lining the bay and enjoying the flying.

Squadron Leader Tom Bould
Red 1 and Team Leader

Image shows a child sits on father while holding a blow up aircraft.

Other air displays included the RAF Chinook helicopter display team, who are also part of a fully operational squadron. They demonstrated the skill of the pilots and the capability of the aircraft.

"It’s absolutely fantastic that the Chinook Display Team was back in Swansea this year. It is always a highlight of our season. It’s also made special this year as one of our team members, Sergeant Scotty Morris is Welsh born and bred, with his family watching on the Sunday."

Flight Lieutenant Matt ‘Schmitty’ Smyth
Chinook Display Captain

Image shows a Chinook flying low with underslung load, over lake.
The Chinook Display Team attended the show.

"Having grown up in Blackwood, it is fantastic to bring the Chinook Display to Wales, as it was the first time I have had the chance to fly in front of my family in my 13-year career in the RAF. It is a privilege to fly for my son Quinn."

Sergeant Scotty Morris
Chinook Display Crewman

Current aircraft training were represented as well by the Tutor, an aircraft used to train pilots and flown by the University of Wales Air Squadron at MOD St Athan.

Image shows the public walk past RAF pop up stalls.

Historical inspiration in the air was provided by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the iconic sounds of the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster.

"It's great to be back at Wales Airshow this year. Swansea Bay provides a beautiful setting and a great opportunity to wow the Welsh crowds once again!"

Paris Pratley-Gomez
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Image shows a Lancaster and two Spitfires flypast over the public beach.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight provided a flypast with a Lancaster and two Spitfires.

The story of the part played by Wales in the Battle of Britain is being told by an exhibition touring Wales, which is currently in Conwy and due to visit Swansea in the autumn. Created by the RAF’s Air Historical Branch and Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Adrian Williams, it has appeared at several venues across Wales since its launch at Cardiff last September.

"It was great to see the Wales airshow back in the 2022 calendar.  The RAF really looked forward to the weekend, with lots of excellent displays for the Welsh public, both in the air and on the ground. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend."

Air Commodore Adrian Williams
Air Officer Wales

Image shows the public look up towards the sky.

It was not just in the air that the Air Force was represented. In the RAF Village visitors were able to meet members of the RAF Regular and Reserve Forces and Cadets, to ask questions of the Red Arrows engineers and experience some of the equipment for themselves.

See upcoming RAF Red Arrows Display Dates

"Those at the event saw the Red Arrows’ new, exciting display for 2022 – featuring a special formation to mark the Platinum Jubilee.

This show is a demonstration of teamwork, with months of preparation by our dedicated air and ground crews alike needed to ensure the display can go ahead.

Some of these highly-skilled colleagues from our support team were also at the show in Swansea, with members of the public able to meet them and learn more about the RAF by visiting the branded Red Arrows tent."

Squadron Leader Tom Bould
Red 1 and Team Leader

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