Armed Forces Day: Red Arrows confirmed for 'spectacular' national event in Scarborough as latest plans revealed

Twice postponed due to the pandemic, the town is set to welcome thousands of spectators to see the RAF aerobatic displays above the South Bay as part of the Armed Forces Day national event on Saturday June 25.

Last month a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter flew over Scarborough Castle and a Royal Marine team abseiled down the castle's keep, unfurling the Armed Forces Day flag, to mark a 100-day countdown until the event.

One of the world's premier aerobatic display teams – the Red Arrows – will take their distinctive red Hawk jets to the skies for 20 minutes to display their formations and skills, it has been confirmed.

The RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team, widely recognised as the UK's premier military parachute display team, will also attend and kick off the day's events with their demonstration of freefall and canopy skills.

Then, prepare to be awestruck by the sheer power of the RAF Typhoon as this nimble fighter jet flies overhead.

Completing the day's aerial displays will be a flypast of the Avro Lancaster, Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Stuart Clark, Scarborough Council's head of operations, venues and events, said: "We are over the moon to have secured four of the RAF’s most prized air assets for this year's Armed Forces Day national event in Scarborough.

"We know from our previous events how much of a crowd-puller the Red Arrows are and the popularity of the other jaw-dropping aerial displays.

"We are excited about pulling out all the stops to make the event weekend a fitting tribute to our Armed Forces and a triumphant return for the national event after two years' absence."

Commodore Phil Waterhouse, Joint Military Commander of the Armed Forces Day national event and Naval Regional Commander Northern England and the Isle of Man, said:

"I'm delighted to confirm that the Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as well as operational aircraft from the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force, will join sailors, Marines and soldiers in what promises to be a spectacular Armed Forces Day national event in Scarborough this June.