Map reveals where Red Arrows will perform D-Day flypast - and it's not London (2024)

The RAF’s acrobatic Red Arrows planes put on a major display today to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Normandy landings during World War Two.

People in Hampshire had a chance to see the impressive jets in action today.

The jets flew from Bournemouth for a 25-minute loop over the south coast and the Isle of Wight, with the flypast happening above Portsmouth Southsea Common at 12.31pm.

It was part of major events taking place today to mark the eightieth anniversary of D-Day, when over 150,000 troops landing in France in a huge push to defeat Nazi forces and end World War One.

On June 6 1944, the forces launched a huge attack from land, air and sea. It was the largest invasion ever assembled, and was the start of operations by Allied forces including Britain and America which would officially end the war a year later.

The Red Arrows often put on their flypasts over London, to mark occasions such as Trooping the Colour, with the royal family turning out onto the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch them go.

Today, they were in the south of England as Portsmouth and Southampton played key roles in planning and executing the D-Day landings.

What is the Red Arrows route today?

The famous planes trailing red, white and blue smoke behind them could be seen above Portsmouth and the surrounding areas.

The Military Air Showspublished an air restrictions map demonstrating the official route of the Red Arrows and the display team of fellow aircraft.

They took off from Bournemouth at 12.17pm and headed south over the Isle of Wight before going east to Portsmouth, north to South Wonston, over the New Forest and then back to Bournemouth.

In total it lasted 25 minutes, with the flypast itself the centrepiece of events in Portsmouth to mark the day.

Before the display flight, they left RAF Waddingtonin Lincolnshire where they are based at 9.14am and flew south for 33 minutes until they reached Bournemouth.

A Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) had been scheduled to happen too, using historic aircraft such as those used during the war.

However, after the death of RAF pilot Sqn Ldr Mark Long when the Spitfire he was flying in crashed in a field in Lincolnshire last month, this will no longer take place.

The remaining aircraft are grounded while an investigation into what caused the crash is ongoing.

Is there a display on June 6?

On June 6, the actual anniversary of the landings, the Red Arrows are again scheduled to fly.

This time it will be less visible for Brits as it will start from Bournemouth and head over the Channel towards Normandy, where the landings took place.

What time did the flypast take place?

The full display route over Hampshire and the Isle of Wight lasted 25 minutes, from 12.17pm until 12.42pm.

The flypast itself was above Portsmouth at 12.31pm.

What aircraft were taking part?

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, known as the Red Arrows, is made up of Hawk fast-jets.

All pilots taking part have flown operationally, in frontline fighter jets such as the advanced Typhoon or Harrier.

The team is intended to show the speed, agility and precisionof the RAF, with the arrows flying since 1965. Trademark moves include theDiamond Nine shape, close formations and precision flying, as well as trailing smoke in the colours of the Union flag.

Commemorations of D-Day anniversary

Those on the ground in Portsmouth had more than just the Red Arrows display to mark the occasion.

Thousands of people joined D-Day veterans, Armed Forces personnel and politicians at a ticketed event onSouthsea Common from 10am, hosted by Dame Helen Mirren.

The event also featured military musicians, and tributes to those who lost their lives fighting to defeat Hitler’s forces.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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