Flying programme

Four days over the Channel

Tap any aircraft for the airframe, the numbers, and who is flying it. Slots move with weather — listen on 87.7 FM. The Red Arrows are not on this year’s bill; Sally B covers the weekend bomber slot.

Friday 14 August · 13 displays

1. 
   01

   Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

   Dakota, Spitfire & Hurricane · Royal Air Force

   A flying tribute all four days: Dakota ZA947 ‘Kwicherbichen’ with a Spitfire and Hurricane, the sound of 1940 over the Channel.

2. 
   02Debut

   Spirit of Kent Spitfire

   Supermarine Spitfire · Civilian display

   A 2026 debut. A second Spitfire on the programme Friday to Sunday — listen for the extra Merlin.

3. 
   03Debut

   P-51 Mustang Marinell

   North American P-51D · Isabel Rutland

   Debuting at Eastbourne this year. Isabel Rutland displays the silver P-51D each day of the show.

4. 
   04

   B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B

   Boeing B-17G · B-17 Preservation

   Europe’s last airworthy Flying Fortress — four radials, a high tail, and a silhouette you will not mistake.

5. 
   05

   RAF Typhoon

   Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 · Royal Air Force

   The RAF’s swing-role fighter. Fast, loud, and the closest thing on this programme to a modern combat jet.

6. 
   06

   MiG-17

   Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 · Civilian display

   A Korean War-era Soviet fighter with tight turns and a raw, unfiltered jet note along the seafront.

7. 
   07

   Rich Goodwin Jet Pitts

   Jet-powered Pitts Special · Rich Goodwin

   A tiny biplane with a jet on its back. Inverted climbs, snap rolls, and a smoke trail you can follow from the pier.

8. 
   08

   AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers

   Boeing Stearman · AeroSuperBatics

   The world’s only formation wingwalking team. Solo Thursday and Friday; look for the pair at the weekend.

9. 
   09

   Stampe Formation Team

   Stampe SV.4 · Stampe Formation Team

   Four open-cockpit biplanes in a barnstorming routine — close formation, loops, and the smell of vintage engines.

10. 
    10

    The Firebirds

    Aerobatic team · The Firebirds

    High-energy civilian aerobatics on Thursday and Friday — smoke, mirror passes, and a tight routine.

11. 
    11

    RAF Tutor Display

    Grob Tutor T1 · Royal Air Force

    The little yellow trainer that punches above its weight — crisp aerobatics from the RAF display circuit.

12. 
    1214:51

    Royal Navy Black Cats

    Leonardo Wildcat · Royal Navy

    Award-winning Wildcat helicopter display. Timed slot each day — set an alarm if you do not want to miss it.

13. 
    13

    Navy Wings Wasp

    Westland Wasp · Navy Wings

    A 1960s naval scout helicopter, flown as a historic pair with the modern Navy on Thursday and Friday.