insideKENT Magazine Issue 39 - June 2015 | Page 107

DAYSOUT The Battle of Britain Ball & Air Show SATURDAY 11TH JULY 2015 Headcorn Aerodrome will once again be resonating to the sound of the mighty Rolls Royce Merlin when on Saturday 11th of July 2015, Aero Legends will be putting on one of the most impressive WW2 air displays of the season to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. There will also be an evening Ball with 1940’s dance music to be held in the large hangar flanked by Spitfires and Hurricanes, and the air show won’t fail to impress with the array of aircraft including no less than four Spitfires and an equal number of Hurricanes. “Those with VIP tickets will be able to get up close and personal to the aircraft as well as hear a trailer mounted Merlin engine being run. They will have the benefit of one of the display pilots talk to them about the aircraft and what they are like to fly.” The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) will field four of its aircraft and will be stopping at Headcorn overnight in readiness for departure to Capel le Ferne the next day for the Commemorative service being held there with the remaining ‘Few’ who will be in attendance. In the evening, BBMF's Flt Lt Anthony ‘Parky’ Parkinson will be displaying Aero Legend’s own 1944 Spitfire MK IX at the Leeds Castle Open Air Classical Concert and will treat those fortunate enough to have secured a Ball ticket to a twilight display upon his return at about 9pm. The atmosphere will be enhanced with some very realistic firing from replica gas powered .50 and .30 calibre machine guns, and those holding VIP tickets will be able to have a go on the machine guns prior to the main event. The guns the same as those used in the latest blockbuster movie Fury starring Brad Pitt and again add an extra flavour of excitement to the event. VIP ticket holders will be transported to the firing station in an old Routemaster bus. During the day there will be an array of activities to suit all ranging from live 1940’s music to trial flights and a fun fair. Keith Perkins, owner of Aero Legends, commented: “We have tried to achieve a number of things with the Battle of Britain Air Show and Ball. Firstly we wanted to make the show as accessible as possible to all people so that the events of 75 years ago remain current – our ticket pricing and structure reflect that. Throughout the day there will be trial flights available to the public in an impressive array of Aero Legends’ vintage aircraft such as one of its three DH82a Tiger Moths, its closed canopy Thruxton Jackaroo (modified DH82a) and one of four Harvards. In addition, and subject to weather conditions, there will be a hot air balloon trip in the evening which the Aero Legends’ Spitfire will rendezvous with for a spectacular visual, aural and photographic opportunity. The balloon ride with the Spitfire will be limited to 16 passengers so book early to avoid disappointment. 107 Aero Legends started operating their Ultimate Experience at Headcorn last year, which entails flights in the training aircraft and fighters that RAF fighter pilots would have learnt and fought in during WW2. The name of the experience reflects for many what is the dream of a lifetime and culminates in a flight in a two seat Spitfire T9 where the customer can get hands-on control of the aircraft once airborne. The feedback from customers who experienced the package last year has been exceptional and 2015 is going to be a busy year. Aero Legends will be operating its full experience packages from Headcorn and flights will be available on the Sunday following the air show, so if you don't manage to get in the aircraft of your choice on the Saturday you will have another opportunity the next day. However it is best to book as early as possible and this can be done either on line through the website www.aerolegends.co.uk or by telephone 01622 812830. Let us all wish for perfect weathe ȁ