Sidmouth: more aircraft confirmed for August's airshow

The line-up for the Sidmouth Airshow has today been confirmed by the town council – with details of all the aircraft and teams that will join the world-famous Red Arrows on Friday, August 27.

The display will start at around 5.30pm with the Royal Navy's Solo Wildcat Helicopter Display Team who are based at RNAS Yeovilton, and perform dynamic flying displays in Lynx helicopters. This year they are flying at only a handful of events - and Sidmouth is one of them.

Next will be the first ever appearance at Sidmouth by Rich Goodwin, who performs one of the most amazing displays of high energy, high G-force aerobatic manoeuvres ever witnessed in his colourful Pitts Biplane.

A historic theme follows, with the RAF Dakota of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. This was previously announced, but now there will be two RAF Spitfires as well. The large Dakota transport plane flanked by two elegant Spitfires, that will peel off and display separately before re-joining in formation, will be a breath-taking sight.

The finale will be the Red Arrows, returning to Sidmouth after a two-year absence due to their US tour and the restrictions last year, performing their perfectly synchronised flying and manoeuvres.

Extra car parking and closure of Esplanade

Final details and arrangements are still being confirmed, but the council has arranged all the usual extra car parking and traffic management, including the closure of the Esplanade to allow the support teams to set up, and provide extra public space for watching the event.

Chair of Sidmouth Town Council, Cllr Ian Barlow, said: "This is fantastic news that after an absence of two years, the Red Arrows are to return as well as the Spitfires and Dakota. Sidmouth is the best possible place to watch and get an uninterrupted view of all these teams in the country. It's just the boost we all need at the moment."

Town council appeals for help with collections

To enable the event to continue in future years, official collectors are being recruited to help gather donations from the public across the seafront, Salcombe and Peak Hills and Connaught Gardens, through collection buckets and contactless payment.

Volunteers are needed from 4pm until 7.30pm. Anyone who can offer help is asked to register by contacting Sidmouth Town Council at [email protected] and the organising team will then be back in touch with locations and contact details for the day.

Participation of aircraft teams is based on aircraft availability and weather conditions. Keep an eye out for future details on the participating teams at the Visit Sidmouth website and Facebook for up-to-the-minute details, timings and other announcements on the event. This information will also be available on the Sidmouth Town Council website and the Live Sidmouth – Sidmouth Town Council Facebook pages.