On the second Bank
Holiday in May, London and East Anglia
turned its attention skyward for the Southend Festival of the Air 2009. The
event is organised by Southend on Sea Borough Council and is free so draws
massive crowds!
PlanesTV recorded the
show with powerful cameras in High Definition which, coupled with the fantastic
clear blue sky, deliver stunning close-up action.
Good RAF support meant that Southend saw the Red Arrows’ debut display of 2009
but the best was left till last with a dramatic reheat driven display by the
Eurofighter Typhoon.
An unlikely display
item at a seaside event – the Swift Glider team performed an aerobatic routine
with the Glider still being towed! The demanding close formation work of the
Matadors with Red Bull star Paul Bonhomme leading was breathtaking.
Historic aircraft
displays came from the Hangar 11 Collection’s P-51 Mustang, the Vampire
Preservation Group’s T11 and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster, Spitfire and
Hurricane.