Red Arrows at RAF Shawbury Battle of Britain commemoration

Friday 3rd September 2010, 9:45AM BST.

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Seventy years after the Battle of Britain, the throb of a Spitfire’s engine could once again be heard in the skies over RAF Shawbury.

Hundreds of people gathered at the north Shropshire airbase to see the iconic fighter plane in action.

The sunset flight, timed at 1945 hours, was the climax of the base’s annual reception, which this year marked the anniversary of the RAF’s ‘finest hour’.

The evening began in style with a 24-minute display of precision formation flying by the Red Arrows, and ended with a performance by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.

The display took place at the station’s massive One Hangar.

Inside, various planes were on display, from a Tiger Moth of the 1930s to modern helicopters.

There were also displays on air force history.

Squadron Leader Neil Hope, RAF Shawbury’s community relations officer, said the base held a reception each year.

“This year at RAF Shawbury we decided to go a bit bigger and better based on the fact that this year it is the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain”

“The guests are a wide range of people from across Shropshire, from the local MP Owen Paterson and the Lord Lieutenant, and people who have helped us out throughout the year, from local dignitaries to landowners and many more.”

1
Elephant

September 3, 2010 at 09:19

Excellent display by the red arrows. Was really disapointed that the spitfire was later than reported in the Shropshire Star. Couldn’t stay as had to get the little one off to bed.

I bet it was amazing.

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