FORTY years of Britain’s fastest and most nimble helicopter will be celebrated this summer in the showpiece public event at the home of the Lynx.
The 2011 Yeovilton Air Day will be a celebration of the long-serving helicopter, with navies from around the world sending their Lynx to Somerset to take part in an international fly past.
The Lynx – in service with three Fleet Air Arm squadrons all based at Yeovilton – is one of the most successful British exports over the past four decades: more than 200 of the versatile helicopters are operating with 11 navies.
In the Royal Navy’s case, the helicopter’s the backbone of operations by frigates and destroyers in the form of the Mk8, while the Commando Helicopter Force flies the reconnaissance model over land and sea.
The prototype Lynx flew for the first time in March 1971 (followed three years later by the first naval variant) and has sparked a number of birthday events (including a restoration of one of the prototypes and a cocktail party at Yeovilton).
As well as the international flypast at the air day on Saturday July 9, there’ll be a chance for the public to see the next-generation Lynx, Wildcat, up close; the helicopter is due to enter service with the Fleet Air Arm by 2015.
The air show will end with the trademark commando assault – big pyrotechnics, lots of helicopters, plenty of Royal Marines running around with guns shouting, shooting and ham-acting.
Tickets will go on sale from April 1. Prices (in advance) are £18 (adults), £16 (senior citizens), £5 (children), £16 (veterans/serving personnel) or (on the day) £23 (adults/senior citizens/veterans/serving personnel), £8 (children).
HMS Cornwall's 815 NAS Lynx on anti-piracy patrol off Somalia last month. Picture: LA(Phot) Dave Jenkins
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