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Red Arrows fly over Maidstone and Sevenoaks for Headcorn’s Battle of Britain Airshow

16:40, 24 June 2022

updated: 13:28, 27 June 2022

The Red Arrows have been doing aerial acrobatics in the skies above Kent today.

The RAF jets flew over towns including Maidstone and Sevenoaks after appearing in a Battle of Britain airshow at Headcorn aerodrome this afternoon.

The Red Arrows performing at the Battle of Britain airshow today. Picture: Darren Mitchell
The Red Arrows performing at the Battle of Britain airshow today. Picture: Darren Mitchell

The team, known for its precision flying and close formations, roared above the towns, giving residents across the county the opportunity to see the planes in action.

They took off from Farnborough Airport in Hampshire, flying east of Benenden, before arriving at Headcorn at 1pm for their display.

The seven-strong display team was later seen heading back past Harrietsham at 1.22pm before passing over Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kings Hill and Sevenoaks.

Jenni Edspire took to Twitter to say: "The Red Arrows are training above our garden! Amazing! As a military child I adore the Red Arrows, they remind me of living in Cyprus."

Delicia Fenech-Soler said: "Wowzer, what an amazing sound of the Red Arrows ripping through the sky over my house today! I'm so stoked! Love seeing you #Kent."

Red Arrows Squadron Leader Grahame Muscat, Wing Commander Gideon Bland the bear, and Ellie Crook at Headcorn Aerodrome raising awareness of The Royal Bear Force and its work with children's mental health. Picture: @0013ellie
Red Arrows Squadron Leader Grahame Muscat, Wing Commander Gideon Bland the bear, and Ellie Crook at Headcorn Aerodrome raising awareness of The Royal Bear Force and its work with children's mental health. Picture: @0013ellie
The RAF display team over Headcorn. Picture: Andrew Graco
The RAF display team over Headcorn. Picture: Andrew Graco

The RAF display team has been in operation since 1965, flying in more than 5,000 displays across 57 countries.

It was in Headcorn for the first of a three-day Battle of Britain airshow.

It is the seventh year the aerodrome has hosted the event, which blends choreographed Second World War-era displays of fighters, bombers, transport and training plans with family-friendly attractions and re-enactments on the ground.

The Battle of Britain was a major air campaign fought largely over southern England, particularly Kent, in the summer and autumn of 1940.

It helped see off the German Luftwaffe after the fall of France.

RAF Red Arrows leaving Farnborough Airport. Picture: David Hawker
RAF Red Arrows leaving Farnborough Airport. Picture: David Hawker

Over the coming days, the Red Arrows team will also be at Scarborough, Cleethorpes and Whitby before returning to Goodwood on Sunday.

They will also take to the skies later this summer as the team will be at the Folkestone Air Display.

It is due to take place over the seafront on Sunday, August 21.

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