Aerobatics planes screaming through the sky in close formation and models dressed in 1940s costume marked the launch of this year’s Farnborough International Airshow.

The airshow, which will take place from July 14 to 20, is set to take on a celebratory tone – with two important anniversaries being marked.

This year marks 60 years since the airshow first opened in Farnborough – in July 1948. It also marks the centenary of Samuel Franklin Cody’s first flight at Farnborough – the UK’s first officially recorded heavier than air flight.

One of the highlights of the show will be a replica of Cody’s first successful flyer – which is currently under construction at the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust museum on Farnborough Road.

The Cody Flyer is being built by a crack team of volunteers led by David Wilson – a retired aeronautical engineer who used to work at the Royal Aircraft Establishment.

The flyer, which has a wingspan of 52 feet, will be on display at the airshow but it will not be officially unveiled until the centenary of Cody’s historic flight – October 16. 

The Cody Flyer will be joined by a replica Wright brothers bi-plane as well as two replica first-generation Avro planes.

There will also be a large fully working Cody flight simulator, which FAST is building in conjunction with Merlin Sim Ltd.

Aircraft enthusiasts will be spoiled for choice. Longer air displays on the public days – July 19 and 20 – will showcase a huge variety of technology.

It will feature aircraft types which first flew at Farnborough in the 1948 show, together with iconic aircraft from the subsequent six decades, including the crowd-pleasing Red Arrows.

Opening the show on each day will be the Shooting Stars, an Italian team of skydiving women who display on behalf of aerospace firm Aero Sekur.

The Blades – the group of aerobatics pilots who gave the press a sneak preview at Tuesday’s airshow launch, will also be present.

They are the world’s only globally accredited aerobatic airline – which means they can take paying passengers on their displays, which involve flying within 12 feet of the other planes – Extra 300s built especially for aerobatics displays.

Speaking about the line-up of aircraft, John Cairns, the head of services, said: “This summer’s show offers unique opportunities to celebrate Farnborough’s glorious past and to remind both business and public visitors alike of some of the incredible aircraft which have been unveiled at the airshow over the years.

“Farnborough, in essence, has always been about innovation, and I am delighted that to a long line of distinguished ‘Farnborough Firsts’ I am able to add some very worthy new firsts.

“These include the first ever women’s parachute team to appear at the airshow; the world’s first aerobatic airline and the first business aviation jet to have been developed at Farnborough.

“As we look back on the past 60 years, we also are excited to continue looking forward to the next 60 years, and the continued commitment to introducing innovation in global aerospace through the Farnborough flying displays.”
Mr Cairns also promised that the airshow would be working with Rushmoor Council and the police to ease the traffic chaos that usually accompanies the airshow.

He said: “Military airfields were never designed for visiting traffic because they wanted to keep people out, but what we’ll try and do is attempt to keep traffic flowing.”