FOUR more exciting aircraft have been unveiled for this year’s Clacton Airshow - and organisers claim it will be one of the best ever line-ups.

The MiG-15 and the Strikemaster will be appearing on both days of the event on August 24 and 25 while the P-51Mustang is taking part on the first day and the Hawker Hurricane on the Friday.

The programme is now complete and will provide a feast for flight fans of all ages and tastes.

The Polish-built MiG-15 is currently operated by the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron. It finished service with the Polish Air Force in 1990.

It is maintained by experienced Polish engineers and is painted and marked as “RED 18” to represent the Russian-Soviet pilot and cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin’s MiG-15.

The BAC 167 Strikemaster is a British jet-powered training and light attack aircraft and was a development from the Hunting Jet Provost trainer.

It was first flown in 1967 and marketed as a counter-insurgency plane and was bought by many air forces across the globe. There were 146 built in all.

The North American P-51 Mustang is always a favourite with the crowds and flew bomber escort in the last few months of the Second World War and also carried out ground attacks over Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia.

The aircraft makes regular appearances at air shows around Europe, including Duxford’s Flying Legends show.

Last, but not least, the Hawker Hurricane is the unsung hero of the Battle of Britain and was built as a response to the RAF’s urgent requirement for a low-wing monoplane fighter.

Gazette:

  • The Hurricane will be at Clacton Airshow

There are only 12 left around the world in airworthy condition despite 14,231 being produced between 1937 and 1944.

The aircraft appearing at Clacton is the only flying example of the famous Hurri-bombers who carried the fight to the European mainland in 1941-42.

Mick Skeels, Tendring Council’s cabinet member for leisure and tourism, said that it is one of the strongest and exciting line-ups for the Clacton Airshow.

“The team behind the event has worked tirelessly to bring together a fantastic flying programme, which will be complimented by the activities on the ground,” he said.

“We are the only remaining air show on the East Coast and I am sure that the crowds will flock to Tendring for this popular two-day event, one of the most important on the calendar.

“There is just over two weeks to go to take-off and final preparations are now being put into place.”

The four latest aircraft to be announced with join up with the RAF Tutor, Team Raven, the Vampire Pair and Gerald Cooper for the event as well as the ever-popular Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, made up of the Lancaster and two Spitfires.

Also confirmed as taking part are the Tigers Parachute team; the Catalina and the world famous Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team the Red Arrows. The night flights on August 24 will involve Otto the helicopter, the Twister Duo Fireflies and will be followed by a firework display on Clacton Pier.