Thousands expected at RAF air show

The display by the RAF's aerobatics team, the Red Arrows, is one of the most popular among visitors to Cosford

The RAF Cosford Air Show returns this weekend, bringing displays of aircraft ranging from the Battle of Britain fighter planes to modern military helicopters.

About 50,000 people are expected at the annual event on Sunday, near Albrighton.

Motorway restrictions are being relaxed and extra trains put on to cope with the influx of visitors.

The event is the only one of its kind organised by the RAF, and chief operations officer Sqn Ldr Chris Wilson said it attracted people from around the world.

"People are fascinated by aviation," he said. "It's something that makes people stop and look."

A Chinook helicopter will be among the aircraft taking to the skies on Sunday

The event was first held in 1978, and has run most years since then.

Attractions this year include the Great War Display Team, performing a dogfighting routine in replica British, French and German World War One aircraft, displays by the RAF Red Arrows and the Royal Navy Black Cats, and Chinook and Apache helicopters.

There will also be a display from aerobatics pilot Mélanie Astles, the first woman to take part in the Red Bull Air Race.

The RAF's Typhoon team will be performing high above visitors' heads

Sqn Ldr Wilson said static aircraft, which this year include the Eurofighter Typhoon, a Boeing Stearman biplane, and a Sioux light helicopter, were also popular.

"We work very hard to put on a really interesting flying display, but we also try and make sure that there's lots to see on the ground as well in our hangars," he said.

"It's a really, really, good way to expose young people to what aviation is and how maybe they can get into it when they're older."

The show was a useful tool to demonstrate to children the practical applications of what they learn in maths and physics lessons, he added.

"They come and meet people [like them], from Wolverhampton and Telford, who happen to be in the Royal Air Force, or maybe they work in the Civil Aviation sector and they go: 'If you can do this, why can't I?'

"And that's really the nice thing about it."

Sqn Leader Chris Wilson said the show was a chance to show people how exciting the world of aviation was

Sqn Ldr Wilson said he and his colleagues enjoyed being able to share their passion for aviation with others.

"If you're working around aircraft and all this stuff every day, it just kind of becomes the norm," he said. "You forget how exciting it is for people who don't get to see it on a regular basis."

Cosford is a working RAF station, meaning visitors can really get a feel for the aviation industry, he added.

"We train all of the Royal Air Force's aircraft engineers," he explained.

"But of course, we work behind the wire day in, day out, and very few people actually get to see what we do on a regular basis.

"So, for us, it's quite nice to be able to show off a little bit."

The RAF Cosford Air Show takes place on Sunday 8 June. Gates open at 08:00 BST.