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Air Demonstrations

Watch the air demonstration for Plymouth Armed Forces Day, flying over Plymouth Sound from 4pm.

 

Note: The air demo is planned for, but subject to weather and other commitments.

Jump to: Swordfish W5856 | Yak-52 | Black Cats Helicopter Display | Merlin MK 4 Helicopter Display | Water Exclusion Zone 

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Photo credit: LHoward

Swordfish W5856

W5856, the oldest surviving airworthy Fairey Swordfish, first flew on Trafalgar Day, 21 October 1941. Built by Blackburn Aircraft at Sherburn-in-Elmet, she was delivered to 82 MU (Lichfield) on 20 October 1941 for transport to Gibraltar. She served with the Royal Navy’s Mediterranean Fleet for a year, likely patrolling over the Straits from North Front, Gibraltar, before being refurbished at Fairey’s Stockport factory in winter 1942/43.

Despite being considered obsolete by WWII's start, the Swordfish, nicknamed ‘Stringbag’ for its versatility, carried a variety of weapons, including torpedoes, depth charges, bombs, mines, rockets, and flares. The type is renowned for the November 1940 Taranto attack, which crippled the Italian battlefleet, the torpedo hit on the Bismarck’s steering gear leading to its sinking, and the February 1942 “Channel Dash” where six Swordfish were downed trying to stop German ships.

 

W5856 is now maintained and operated by the charity Navy Wings, funded by public donations. ​

Yak-52 

The Yakovlev Yak-52 is a rugged, two-seat, tandem training aircraft developed in the Soviet Union during the 1970s, with its first flight in 1976. 

Designed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau for primary military pilot training in Eastern Bloc countries, over 1,800 were built.

 

Powered by a nine-cylinder Vedeneyev M14P radial engine producing 360 to 400 horsepower, it achieves a top speed of around 165 knots, a climb rate of 1,200 feet per minute, and a range of approximately 450 nautical miles. 

 

The Yak-52 is fully aerobatic, stressed to +7/-5 G, and features a unique pneumatic system for starting, landing gear, flaps, and brakes—giving it a distinctive “steam engine” sound. Its excellent handling and robust design make it a favourite for aerobatics and training worldwide

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Swordfish W5856
Yak-52

Merlin Mk4 Helicopter Static Display

Get up close to the Merlin Mk4 which will be located on Plymouth Hoe and chat to aircrew and engineers from 846 Naval Air Squadron.

 

846 Naval Air Squadron is one of the two frontline Merlin Squadrons that make up the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force. The Squadron fly the AgustaWestland Merlin Mk4 and are the home of the Operational Conversion Flight. 846 Naval Air Squadron is historically an amphibious assault squadron, delivering Royal Marines from ship to shore. The Squadron has provided battlefield support in a number of operational theatres, including the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

The Merlin Mk4 helicopter is currently in service by the Royal Navy, and it features several modifications for use by the Royal Marines. These include a fast roping beam that allows the rapid deployment of Special Forces from the main cabin door.

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Water Exclusion Zone for Air Display

Plymouth Armed Forces Day has full entertainment programme this year including an air display in the afternoon.

 

Familiarise yourself with the water exclusion zone (right). This area must be kept clear between 3.45pm and 5pm to allow aircraft to manoeuvre above the water and allow access for emergency services if required. This area will be managed by Marshalls on safety boats.

 

Mount Batten Breakwater will also be closed to the general public from 3pm until 5pm. However this does not affect the businesses, the SW Coast Path and car parking in this area.

 

For more information regarding the exclusion zone please visit https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/khm/plymouth

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Black Cats Helicopter Display

The team was formed in 2001 under the name ‘Lynx Pair’ and became the first official Royal Navy flying display team since the ‘Sharks’ were disbanded in the mid-1990s.

 

Comprised entirely of volunteers, the pilots and engineers come from 825 Naval Air Squadron and the Lynx Wildcat Maritime Force, based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset.

The name ‘Black Cats’ takes inspiration from the emblem of the now-disbanded 702 Naval Air Squadron, which featured a fierce black cat. It also plays on the naval slang term ‘blackcatting’, meaning to outdo someone by claiming to have done or owned something better.

Black Cats Helicopter Display
Merlin Mk 4 Display
Water Exclusion Zone
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