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Herne Bay air show: Organisers say spectacle on Saturday, August 19 will be best yet

Herne Bay air show organisers say next month’s spectacle will be the best yet after attracting more than a dozen jets – including the Red Arrows.

The BayPromoTeam, which brought an estimated 80,000 people to the town last year, has arranged for 15 stunning fighter jets to perform on Saturday, August 19.

They say this year’s show, which will finish with an eye-catching pyrotechnics show at dusk, will feature more aerobatic displays than ever before.

The AeroSPARX display team will be in action. Picture: Toni Tejon
The AeroSPARX display team will be in action. Picture: Toni Tejon

“It will be our most impressive line-up and people should not underestimate how lucky we are to get it,” said senior organiser Gerald McCarthy.

“It really is a lottery getting these aircraft signed up, but we have proved we can compete with the best air shows now.

“It is difficult to continually raise the bar and you have to think outside the box, which is what we have done.”

Thousands of people attend the air show
Thousands of people attend the air show

Mr McCarthy says the AeroSPARX display team will close the show at dusk, performing with colourful pyrotechics.

“Everyone is talking about the display at the end as that will be something they haven’t seen before,” Mr McCarthy added.

“Herne Bay can definitely boast having one of the top free off-shore displays in the UK this year, which is a great achievement for us as a team and for the town.

Gerald McCarthy, senior organiser of the Herne Bay air show
Gerald McCarthy, senior organiser of the Herne Bay air show

“It is not about competition, but it is nice to be thought of in the same sentence as top air shows in Britain.”

Two British de Havilland Vampire jets are scheduled to perform at the show for the first time, along with five vintage warbirds from the Second World War, 10 replica Great War aircraft, 11 aerobatic machines and two helicopters.

Mr McCarthy says spectators should treat Herne Bay like getting to a live stadium venue on the day of the air show, which will also feature the jaw-dropping Eurofighter Typhoon.

“The key to the success of the event is people listening to our message to use public transport,” Mr McCarthy said.

“Extra trains and bus services are in place, and although not ideal for all, we don’t want people stuck in traffic and missing all the fun because they’ve decided to bring their vehicles.”

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