Date is announced for the Abingdon Air & Country Show

It will take place this year at Abingdon Airfield on Saturday, May 18.

Last year thousands of people enjoyed the 23rd annual air show featuring about 70 different aircraft from helicopters to Second World War fighters, as well as light and sport aircraft.

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A two-and-a-half hour flying display kicked off the day, which usually attracts around 10,000 people, with Mustangs, a Yak-3, a Bronco demo team plus Wasp and Lynx helicopters.

RAF Brize Norton supplied a Boeing C17 Globemaster while a Hercules display gave the public a last chance to see the aircraft before it went out of service.

Show founder Neil Porter said: “47 Squadron used to be based here so it was really a nice way to give them a public send-off.”

On the ground the RAFA Red Arrows simulator was a big hit along with a display by Solent Stars Motorcycle display team, Harley Davidson motorcycles, classic and ex military vehicles, crafts and live music.

Proceeds from the festival, which has raised £100,000 for various charities since it first started in 2000, went to Thames Valley Air Ambulance and a donation will also go to Abingdon Vesper Rotary Club.

The show started out as a local fete and has grown ever since.

It now costs about £80,000 to stage the event every year.

For more visit abingdonairandcountry.co.uk 

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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