Main photo above by Frank Grealish / IrishAirPics.com features the BBMF Lancaster in formation with the Irish Air Corps Silver Swallows.
Despite the threat of rain and high winds, tens of thousands of spectators descended on Bray Sea Front for the 2023 Air Display. The breaks in the weather were perfectly timed allowing all planned participants to complete their displays on Sunday. The show was opened by the Red Arrows who put on a fantastic display. The low cloud base forced them to put on their ‘flat’ display with some occasional elements from their ‘rolling’ display that were very well received by the crowd. This was followed by the Saab Viggen display from the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight flown by Stellan Andersson.
The following displays included the PBY Catalina, Eddie Goggins in the Cap 232, the Irish Historic Flight with two Chipmunks and the Boeing Stearman, the P51 Mustang and NFC’s new Tecnam P2006T. Aer Lingus used the weekend to launch their new Future Pilot Programme and also displayed A320neo EI-NSB completing a number of flypasts. The Ravens, made up of 6 x Vans RV8’s put on their usual fabulous display followed by the Royal Jordanian Falcons operating 4 x Extra 300’s. The Irish Coast Guard showed off the capabilities of the giant Sikorsky S-92 Search and Rescue Helicopter.
The Irish Air Corps were also well represented with displays from the EC135 and AW139. This year they celebrate 60 years of helicopter operations in the Air Corps. The AW139 completed its display with the Bambi bucket used for firefighting operations. This has been used on a number of occasions already this year, particularly during the warm weather we had in May and the early part of June. The show was completed by a three-ship display from the Silver Swallows who also put on a great display.
Over the next few days, we’ll be adding a number of photo articles to this website, if you’d like to have your photos featured please send them to us at mark@flyinginireland.com
