Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfires at Cholmondeley Pageant of Power

Iconic RAF World War planes at the 2013 Pageant include the Lancaster, Hurricane and SpitfireHost of death-defying aerobatic displays, agility competitions from the Defence Helicopter Flying School and search and rescue demonstrations Visitors will also be able to book helicopter pleasure flights and flying lessonsThe Cholmondeley Pageant of Power (14-16 June; www.cpop.co.uk) is much more than a celebration of all things automotive.  It also plays host to stunning aerial displays by helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, and this year the event will welcome a packed schedule of airborne action, including flypasts by venerable British warplanes, agility contests and thrilling stunt-plane demonstrations.Notable highlights of the Pageant will be a flypast on Sunday 16 June by the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, comprising a Second World War Avro Lancaster bomber, Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire. One of the most famous and successful RAF heavy bombers of World War Two, the mighty four-engined Avro Lancaster is still a legend today.  It will be flanked in the skies over Cholmondeley by the Hawker Hurricane, the single-seat fighter which was at the forefront of Britains defence during the Second World War, and the Supermarine Spitfire, noted for its beauty as much as for its prowess in combat.  As well as joining the Memorial Flight flypast on Sunday 16 June, the Spitfire will grace the Pageant on Saturday 15 June.Other stars of the skies will include the famous BAC 167 Strikemaster light attack aircraft, the Abarth 300L stunt plane, and a pair of Vietnam-era choppers. As one of the most iconic and recognisable aircraft in the world, the single turboshaft engined Huey helicopters played a vital role in the Vietnam conflict and are capable of incredible feats of manoeuvrability.The 2013 Pageant will also see the return of the popular Tri-Service Helicopter Agility competition, conducted by the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) with the Squirrel helicopterthe only public demonstration of its type in the UK, as well as a SAR (Search and Rescue) demonstration over one of the Cholmondeley Estates lakes, Deer Park Mere, using a Bell 412 Griffin.Its not just the events many pilots that will take to the skies above the Pageant of Power, however, as visitors can book their own helicopter pleasure flight for a remarkable birds-eye view of the Pageant of Power actionwith unrivalled views of the 1.2-mile circuit, Cholmondeley Castle and the beautiful surrounding countryside.Weve aimed to make sure the action is as exciting to watch from the skies as it is on the ground.  With terrifying stunts, a celebration of some of the greatest British fighter planes, and more relaxed helicopter pleasure flights, this years aerial offering will offer something for everyone.  Celebrating performance in all its forms, theres no other event in the UK where visitors can experience quite so much in one place, comments James Hall, Event Director at the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power. Now in its sixth year the UKs biggest commemoration of power - on track, water and in the airwill take place on the Cholmondeley Estate in Cheshire from 14 to 16 June, celebrating power and performance in its many forms.  Until 13 June, adult tickets start at just 24 for the Friday Preview Day, and 32 to see all the action on Saturday or Sunday.  Under-16 tickets are currently available from just 5 for the Friday Preview Day and 7 for Saturday and Sunday tickets.

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