Setting the Scene

摘要

If one word sums up plans for the 2014 airshow season, it must be 'anniversaries'. The centenary of the outbreak of World War One, the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the 50th display season for the Red Arrows are the big themes concentrating the minds of those organisers charged with commemorating them, especially on the UK and mainland European scene. Thanks to a much better year weather-wise than had been the case of late, 2013's season was largely a successful one in Britain, with big crowds enjoying some notable participation. The only significant losses from 2014's UK calendar are the RAF Leuchars Air Show, as the Fife base prepares for closure, and IWM Duxford's traditional Autumn Air Show, though the number of actual display days there remains the same as the May show has been extended to two days. Elsewhere can be found all the expected events, plus, thanks to concerted local efforts, a welcome seafront returnee at Southend, funding permitting.