Famous Red Arrows and historical aircraft taking to the skies for the Midlands Air Festival in Warwickshire

The annual event will be returning to Ragley Hall near Alcester for three days from May 29 to 31.

Combining an international air display and one of Europe’s largest hot air balloon events, the aviation festival attracts an audience from all over the Midlands, the UK and Europe.

Once again the event will feature the RAF Red Arrows. Although timings are still to be confirmed, the iconic red jets are due to fly over the side during the late afternoon on both the Saturday and Sunday.

The historic Spitfire, Hurricane and DC3 Dakota of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the mass parachute team of the RAF Falcons will also be attending.

Others featured over the weekend include: the cold war Mig 17F fighter jet from Poland, the Conair Firecat from France, which is a fire bomber and will be dropping more than 3,000 litres of water in four seconds, the two ground attack jets of the Strikemaster Pair and the largest civilian formation air display team in the UK - Team Raven.

Also in the air show line up is the giant four engine WW2 Flying Fortress B17; a Mustang P51 fighter; the Royal Navy Swordfish; the graceful Catalina Sea Plane; the historic bi planes of the Stampe display team; the big Vietnam era turbo prop Bronco and the insane high energy aerobatics of the Extra.

Added to these there will be two rare famous helicopters in the ‘Rescue Pair’ – one is the Westland Sea King and the other is the Westland Whirlwind – the only airworthy example in the world.

Others include, the Second World War warbird trainer the Harvard, the evocative Rolls-Royce Spitfire, the modern ‘star ship’ Twinstar and from France the gorgeous Spartan Executive, which is a 1930’s propeller version of a modern executive jet, plus a selection of superb large radio-controlled aircraft.

For the air balloon enthusiasts there will be more than 100 giant multicoloured round hot air balloons plus a collection of ‘special shape’ character balloons, including a rare appearance of the enormous Harley Davidson motor bike, which has not seen in the UK for more than 40 years.

Other popular favourites include: Iggy the Purple Dragon, Thomas the Tank Engine, Smiley Scarecrow, Finley the Turtle and Busby the King’s Guardsman to name but a few of the 27 special shapes attending this year as part of the largest line up of uniquely shaped balloons in Europe.

The festival kicks off with the signature ‘Nightfire’ event, which starts with an afternoon air display, then a massive balloon ascent, pyrotechnic air displays, the iconic fireglow with dancing balloons and fire show then a spectacular firework finale.

These displays all take place in the estate grounds of the historic Ragley Hall near Alcester.

For more information about the festival line-up, the event itself or ticket prices go to: https://www.midlandsairfestival.com/