AIR DAY 2016: Eyes to the sky at RNAS Yeovilton

THOUSANDS of people will be descending on the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton this morning (Saturday, July 2, 2016) for the annual International Air Day.

Now fast approaching its 70th anniversary (the first event was staged in 1947), Air Day is one of the Royal Navy’s premier annual events and among the South West’s key single-day shows, attracting up to 40,000 spectators.

An action-packed day featuring five hours of spectacular flying displays, extensive ground displays and a galaxy of other attractions is in store for all who attend.

Air Day 2016’s theme is Naval Aviation – Past, Present & Future.

An Air Day spokesman said: “We will remember a landmark Royal Navy engagement of 75 years ago when Swordfish biplanes famously helped sink a key German Navy battleship.

“We say farewell to the maritime Lynx, paying tribute to the Fleet Air Arm’s outgoing small ships helicopter, which will be retired in March 2017,andlooking to the future, we celebrate the new generation of Wildcat and Merlin helicopters.”

Tickets are available to be bought on the gate priced at £27 for adults and £14 for children under 16.  Children under five are free of charge.  Full details, including visitor information can be found at www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday .

PHOTOS: Checkout this website later this evening for photos from today's (Saturday, July 2, 2016) Air Day at RNAS Yeovilton.

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