'BIGGLES' TAKES TO THE AIR ONCE AGAIN
SISTERS Marianne (left) and Kayleigh Smith of 2231 (Forfar) Squadron Air Training Corps make a final check of the flight logbook of their Squadron mascot, James Bigglesworth Bear, in preparation for the Heart of Scotland Airshow.
The mascot, named after the fictional pilot 'Biggles', is chasing a world record for flights in different aircraft types flown by a toy bear.
So far he has more than 40 aircraft recorded, including a Red Arrows Hawk, A Vulcan bomber, a World War 1 replica biplane and a Grob Tutor, used by the Royal Air Force to provide air experience flights for Air Training Corps cadets.
His flights have taken him to Africa, America and across Europe in his world record bid.
Cadets from the Forfar Squadron will be among Air Training Corps and Army Cadet Force youngsters from East Scotland who will be helping at the Heart of Scotland Airshow on June 5 and 6 at Perth (Scone) Airport.
They will be joined by James Bigglesworth Bear and hope he will be able to add to his list of aircraft flown by getting airborne in some of the famous aircraft appearing at the airshow.
These include a Word War II Spitfire and Hurricane, a vintage Avro Anson and De Havilland Rapide.
This year's Heart of Scotland Airshow commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first international aviation event to be held in Scotland.
Twenty two pioneering aircraft from Britain, France, Italy, Switzerland, the United States of America, the Netherlands and Peru took part in six days of competitions before huge crowds at Lanark Racecourse.
In a far cry from the flimsy Bleriot, Wright, Voisin and Farman aircraft and the 'pop-popping' of Gnome, Clerget and JAP engines of 100 years ago, the 2010 Heart of Scotland Airshow will reverberate with the sound of modern jet fighters and heavy radial engines.
On June 5 a Royal Air Force Typhoon Eurofighter will give a display and on June 6 two Royal Air Force Tornados will give a role demonstration, complete with pyrotechnics.
On both days the airshow will be opened by the Golden Lions Parachute Team and the flying display will include the Royal Air Force demonstration Hawk in its Union Flag livery, a World War II Spitfire and Hurricane, a YAK 52 from the Cossaks Aerobatic Team, the Swift Glider and Silence Twister Team, the Breitling Wing Walkers, a Vietnamn veteran Huey and a De Havilland Rapide and Avro Anson vintage pair.
Aerobatics displays will be performed by a Pitts S2A and Cessna 152 and other local and visiting pilots will be flying a variety of other light aircraft, including an SE5 replica, a Tiger Moth, a Stolp Starduster, a Cessna 185, a Scottish Aviation Bulldog and a Glassair.
A barnstorming balloon-bursting competition will be back by popular demand and a United States Air Force KC-135 tanker aircraft will make a fly-by on both days.
For full details visit www.perthairshow.com
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Weather for Forfar
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South west
