Last RAF Leuchars Airshow takes to skies

The Red Arrows were one of display teams headlining the Leuchars show

The 65th Leuchars Airshow has taken to the skies, the final one before the Fife base is transferred to the Army.

Defence Minister Dr Andrew Murrison confirmed that the event would be the last of its kind at the RAF station.

It is transitioning from an RAF base to an Army base by 2015 with its fast jets transferring to RAF Lossiemouth.

The RAF said it was "giving serious consideration" to various options, including a replacement for the Leuchars Airshow.

Organisers said nearly 40,000 people were on the base by the time of the Red Arrows flypast in the early afternoon.

The display team flew with eight rather than nine aircraft, as the wife of one of the pilots has recently given birth.

The show also included the last 617 Squadron flypast, in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Dambuster raids.

As part of the traditional Sunset Ceremony, the ensign was lowered over the last Leuchars show.

Army ownership

The RAF said it was "giving serious consideration" to a replacement for the Leuchars Airshow.

Station commander Air Commodore Gerry Mayhew said: "It is a special airshow for me and those in uniform.

"It is an opportunity for us to say thank you to everybody in Scotland who supported us throughout our whole history here and start the hand-off to the Army who will start moving in next year and into 2015."

RAF Leuchars is due to pass into Army ownership on 1 April 2015.