Clouds failed to dampen spirits at annual air show

Spectacular aircraft soared over the island earlier for the Guernsey Air Display 2024.

This year the event, which has been running for more than 60 years, was moved from September to June so the RAF Red Arrows could take part.

Team Raven, Richard Goodwin Jet Pitts and a Fairey Swordfish all formed part of the display which started just after 11:00 BST, organisers said.

Cloudy skies formed a backdrop to the display while the forecast rain did not start to fall until it had finished.

Pilots gathered at the airport for the Meet the Pilots event on Wednesday

Some of the pilots gathered at Guernsey Airport on Wednesday as part of the Meet the Pilots event.

Mark Jameson said he would be flying the Fairey Swordfish aircraft as part of the Navy Wings' Swordfish display.

He said it was not a "particularly aerobatic" aircraft.

"We keep it the right way up, however, it's a nice big aircraft.

Mark Jameson said the Fairey Swordfish he would be flying has been painted in its D-Day colours

"It flies nice and slow so in front of the crowd we will hopefully come past left to right so everybody can get a good look at it and see it in its glory of its D-Day colours.

"This year we've painted it for the 80th."

The Guernsey Air Display Foundation said the Fairey Swordfish, which first flew in 1941, featured in the show instead of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

The flight was grounded amid an investigation into the death of Sqn Ldr Mark Long during a Spitfire crash in Lincolnshire on 25 May.

Pilot James Brown said the Hurricane fought in the Battle of Britain

Pilot James Brown will be flying an 84-year-old Hurricane

James Brown flew an MK1 Hurricane at the display.

"This aircraft is 84 years old this year," he said.

Mr Brown said the aircraft was based in Croydon from September until October 1940 during the Battle of Britain and "shot down or damaged" about five German aircraft.

He said: "She's a really historic aircraft and probably one of the most historic British fighters to have survived the Battle of Britain."

Mr Brown said the aircraft was an "old lady" and therefore the aerobatics would be "fairly gentle".

"She's just beautiful to fly so hopefully people enjoy that."

Gerald Williams will be flying as Raven 4 in Team Raven

Gerald Williams, who was in Raven 4 in Team Raven, said the team wanted to provide islanders with an "action-packed" display.

He said the aircraft, an RV8, could reach more than 200mph (322km/h).

"They have a range of well over 600 miles (966km)," he said.

Mr Williams said the team had performed in Guernsey "many times".

In May, Red Arrows pilot Stuart Roberts said the team was looking forward to returning to Guernsey for the display.

Mr Roberts, who joined the RAF in 2009, said the team always enjoyed coming to the Channel Islands.

"It's such a beautiful place to display," he said.