Up, up and away with planes and hot air balloons

AN air show featuring war planes, hot air balloons and parachute teams is being held in Warwickshire. The Arbury Hall estate in Nuneaton has been chosen to host The Midlands Air Festival 2019.

The event was launched at Ragley Hall last year but due to a conflict of dates, it will now be held at Arbury Hall from Friday, May 17 to Sunday, May 19.

There’ll be more than 100 giant, multicoloured hot air balloons, including a number of special shape and character balloons, and a full classic air display – with jets, helicopters, gyroplanes, aerobatics, aerial ballet, flying circus, formation display teams and parachute teams.

On the Friday evening there will be the stunning signature event, the Nightfire, a unique night air display with helicopter and aircraft trailing and firing pyrotechnics from their wings and fuselage, running into a hot air balloon nightglow where 30 balloons and baskets all burn to set patterns and music, topped by a massive firework finale.

Organiser Trevor Graham said: “We are very grateful to The Rt Hon the 4th Earl of Daventry, Lord Newdegate, who has welcomed us to his estate for this fantastic event.

“To see all of these wonderful flying machines in the historic and intimate surroundings of Arbury Hall’s grounds will be a real treat which we feel will appeal both to the enthusiasts and possibly many families who would not normally attend the larger more crowded air displays.

“We think we are the only air display in the UK that has a little section of the show that will appeal specifically to children, with the gyrocopter and the turbulent display team in their little Noddy aircraft.’’

It has been stressed that tickets will be limited and can only be purchased in advance.