There was plenty to entertain the huge crowds at The 2001 Shoreham Airshow.  Highlights included the Red Devils and Falcons parachute teams, the Blades aerobatics teams and the RAF fast jet training craft, the Hawk TI.

Among the classic aircraft at the show was Peter Teichman’s newly rebuilt Spitfire XI, which starred in the BBC documentary Operation Crossbow.  The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight also returned to the Shoreham Airshow with their Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane.

The theme of this year’s show was ‘Search and Rescue’, which was celebrated with a Westland Sea King from RAF Valley together with a simulated rescue by Shoreham lifeboat crew.  The show raised funds for the Royal Air Forces Association which is dedicated to supporting serving and former RAF personnel and their families.

Vic Norman, leader of the Breitling Wing Walkers team said, ‘I have been at every single Shoreham Airshow.  We do about 80 displays a year and this is by far the best we come to.  Its a fantastic location to fly.  We have got the backdrop of the hills and they understand light aircraft.  This year we have been to Venice and Switzerland and we hope to go to China.  But Shoreham is still the one we really look forward to.’  Sarah Tanner, one of the wing walkers, said, ‘I am really excited to be here.  Shoreham is one of my favourite airshows because we get to speak to the other teams and the public.  There’s a really nice atmosphere here and we’ve got great weather this year.’

A spokesman for the airshow said there was huge demand for tickets, ‘We feel it has been one of the best airshows we have ever put on and that feeling seems to be shared by the people I have spoken to.  Its a testament to the wonderful crew at Shoreham who are all volunteers and have made this a really special event.’