Blackpool is gearing up for a spectacular weekend of free entertainment in the skies and on the ground.

This’s year Blackpool Air Show will take place on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 August with some of the world’s finest military and civilian aircraft performing over the iconic seafront.

And there will also be a unique opportunity for visitors to get up close to a replica of the Apollo 11 lunar module, marking the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.

The event, sponsored by Northern Rail, will be headlined by the Breitling Jet Team who will perform over the Blackpool seafront on both days.

The French-based formation team will be joined by the RAF Chinook Display Team, the UK-based AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers, The Blades Aerobatic Team, a Typhoon, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and more!

The Breitling team, comprising Alabatros jets in distinctive dark blue and yellow colours, will be making their debut at the Blackpool Air Show and will deliver a jaw-dropping display of formation flying over the seafront. They have performed in front of huge audiences all across the globe.

AeroSuperBatics have been specialists in display flying for over 30 years and operate one of the best-loved civilian air display acts in Europe. They will perform a breath-taking sequence of acrobatic stunts, all whilst strapped to the top wings of the beautiful 1940s Boeing Stearman biplanes.

The Blades Aerobatic Team comprises extremely skilled and highly-experienced pilots with more than 25,000 hours of flying experience between them. Undertaking aerobatic manoeuvres less than four metres apart in perfect formation and at speeds of up to 200mph, the crowds will witness 30 separate awe-inspiring manoeuvres in the 15-minute display.

The Calidus Autogyro will join the show for some up close and personal aerobatic fun! Due to their low speed, the Gyro Display is cleared to fly just 50 metres from the crowd.

The military part of the programme includes the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, featuring a Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster bomber, and the RAF Chinook Display Team which will showcase the huge helicopter’s versatility with a stunning range of manoeuvres.

This year, the awesome Typhoon will be flown by Flt Lt Jim Peterson who has designed a display to demonstrate the aircraft’s immense power and acceleration. Spectators will see just why the team’s catchphrase is #BringTheNoise!

There will also be appearances by a Strikemaster combat jet, Yak 50, Pitts S2S Special biplane, Canadian Car Factory Harvard IV 1747, and Bulldog T1.

The programme will begin shortly after 1.30pm on both days, with the best viewing points on the promenade between North and Central Piers.

To complement the aerial programme, there will be plenty to see and do on the ground with a wide range of stalls, attractions and food concessions in the Blackpool Air Show Village on the Tower Festival Headland which will be open from 10am each day.

This year, there will be a special appearance in the village of the Apollo 11 lunar excursion module, Eagle.

Produced for the 50th anniversary moon landing celebrations by Nigel Sumner, who runs an events and technical production company, the module took two years to develop.

It stands 13-feet high and spans 18 feet, and comes with a commentary and informative display together with a lookalike astronaut for public meet-and-greet photos. There will also be a rocket building workshop for kids and other education elements if required.

There will also be Typhoon and Red Arrows flight simulators in the village.

Visitors are encouraged to arrive in resort early to avoid any traffic congestion. For regular updates, click here to find out more additions to the programme.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “The Blackpool Air Show is always one of the highlights of the summer.

“This year’s line-up of planes and stunt teams looks brilliant and with the Breitling Jet Team making their Blackpool debut, it promises to deliver a fantastic two days of free entertainment for all the family.

“We would encourage people to stay over for the whole weekend and take the opportunity to enjoy everything that Blackpool has to offer.”

The official Blackpool Air Show programme will be available to buy over the weekend giving information on all the aircraft plus timings.  It will also be available to purchase before the event from Monday 5th August priced at only £1 from the VisitBlackpool Tourist Information Centre on the Promenade opposite Blackpool Tower.

For more details on Blackpool’s huge range of shows, events and attractions, to book accommodation or for any other enquiries, please go to www.visitblackpool.com or call 01253 478222.

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