Iron Maiden singer plans WW1 dogfight at Sonisphere

Iron Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson is to take part in an air display in the skies above Sonisphere rock festival to commemorate the start of World War One.

The singer, 55, will be part of a group of pilots taking part in the "dogfight" above Knebworth House at 18:00 BST on 5 July.

Iron Maiden are headlining the festival that night.

It marks the final performance on their Maiden England world tour.

Also appearing at Sonisphere will be Metallica, who will play a set based entirely on fan requests.

The Prodigy headline the Friday night of the festival.

Also on the bill are Limp Bizkit, Alice in Chains, Mastodon, Slayer and The Sisters of Mercy.

Multiple aircraft

The event hasn't been held for the last two years but returns to Knebworth House in Hertfordshire for three days between 4-6 July.

The stately home is also celebrating 40 years of concerts in its grounds with the likes of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and Queen all having played there.

Metallica last headlined the festival in 2011 and also topped the bill in 2009.

Iron Maiden last appeared at the festival in 2010.

The air display above Sonisphere will feature nine aircraft, all exact replicas of planes used in combat in World War One.

Bruce Dickinson, a trained transport airline pilot, will be flying his own Fokker Dr1 Triplane, the same model used by German flying ace Manfred von Richthofen, or The Red Baron.

There will also be a German Junkers CL1.

The British planes will be a Sopwith Triplane, a BE2c and an SE5a and will be flown by members of The Great War Display Team, who perform re-enactments throughout the UK and Europe.

'Extravaganza'

Bruce Dickinson said: "The air show over Sonisphere is something I'm really excited about and we're determined to put on an unforgettable display for everyone.

"We're planning an extravaganza of derring-do, especially when you consider the manoeuvres we'll be performing are all based on true-life battles from a hundred years ago.

"What some of these fighter pilots achieved back then was nothing short of miraculous given the conditions they were working under and the seriousness of what was at stake.

"We hope to stage a memorable display which is equally entertaining and poignant, celebrating not only the bravery and heroics of all the pilots involved but remembering the sacrifices made on both sides."

Sonisphere organiser Stuart Galbraith added: "We all got very excited when Iron Maiden approached us with this idea.

"It's going to be a truly unique experience and tribute for everyone at Knebworth.

"We've made sure we were able to squeeze a gap into the outdoor stage programme on July 5th so that it has the impact it deserves."

Iron Maiden's set at last year's Download Festival began with a flyby from a Spitfire based at RAF Coningsby.

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