- Sep 20, 2015
- 5 min read

Southport Air Show 2015: Everything you need to know about this year's show

The 2015 Southport Air Show is running this Saturday, September 19th and Sunday, September 20th.

Light aircraft and microlights landing on the beach at 9am will open the weekend.

It will run onto 5.30pm.

Flying times for the individual aircraft

Saturday, September 19th

Chinook 12.55pm

Due to its versatility, durability and presence the Chinook truly remains the Helicopter of choice for UK forces operating world-wide.

Jet Provost 1.05pm

Sea King 1.15pm

The Blades 1.37pm

The Blades take to the skies in what promises to be an energetic and acrobatic performance. There will be four blades displaying at this year's air show and the pilots will be on the ground after their performance to answer any questions.

P-51 Mustang 1.54pm

The Tigers Free Fall team 2.06pm

The Vulcan. Photo by James Maloney

The Vulcan 2.35pm

The Vulcan is in its last ever display season. Make sure you catch it on the Saturday of the air show, as it won't be taking part in displays on Sunday.

Spitfire XIX 2.45pm

Swordfish 2.59pm

Black Cats 3.09pm

Xtreme XA41 3.23pm

MiG 15 3.33pm

Typhoon with beach explosion 3.43pm

The Typhoon can reach a max speed of 1.8Mach. It is 15.96m in length and can reach a max altitude of 55,000ft. It's wing span is a massive 11.09m.

Bulldog & Tutor 3.52pm

Bulldog 3.57pm

Tutor 4.05pm

Meteor 4.15pm

Red Arrows 4.30pm

The iconic Red Arrows return. A highlight of the show, swat up on your Red Arrow knowledge here before you go.

Scout AH1 4.57pm

Hurrican and Spitfire 5.05pm

Hawk T2 Role Demo 5.22pm

Sunday, September 20th

Red Arrows 12.30pm

P-51 Mustang 12.59pm

Sea King 1.09pm

Tigers Freefall Team 1.34pm

The Blades 1.56pm

Jet Provost 2.13pm

Swordfish 2.25pm

The Fairey Swordfish, the legendary ‘Stringbag’, was a Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance biplane dive-bomber that went into service with the Fleet Air Arm pre-war in 1936.

The Blades. Photo by James Maloney

Black Cats 2.35pm

Bulldog and Tutor 2.49pm

Bulldog 2.54pm

Tutor 3.02pm

Hurricane and Spitfire 3.12pm

Meteor 3.29pm

MiG 15 3.39pm

Xtreme XA41 3.49pm

Scout AH1 3.58pm

Hawk T2 Role Demo 4.06pm

Typhoon with beach explosions 4.18pm

A dramatic ending to a fantastic show - the typhoon display, complete with explosions on Southport beach.

Parking

Parking is available for £6 for the whole day at one of the designated air show car parks.

If you are driving to the show, there will be signs directing you to specific car parks in Southport depending on what direction you approach the town from.

Parking is available on the beach (North Beach only), Marine Drive, Princes Park, the Esplanade car park and Victoria Park - only 5 minutes walk from the sea front.

If you are travelling from the South you will be directed to the Esplanade Car Park or Victoria Park. From the North you will directed to the Marine Drive Car Park and from the East you will directed to other Air Show car parks.

Merseyrail

Trusty Merseyrail travel as far north as Southport with the first train leaving Liverpool Central at 6.08am and running consistently throughout the day.

Organisers have suggested you get to Southport early with the gates opening to the show at 9.00am. Catch an early train and grab a quick coffee before making your base on the beach.

Merseyrail offer a Family Day Ticket for £10.

Train

If you are coming from further afield, from the likes of Manchester, then Northern Rail run twice hourly services straight to Southport station. Coming from Yorkshire? There is also a train from Huddersfield direct to Southport every 45 minutes.

Bus

If you think the train will be too busy for you, hop on the number 300 Arriva bus from Liverpool Queen Square Bus Station. The bus takes slightly longer than Merseyrail , but you should be on Lord Street within an hour and 15.

Coming from Preston? Stagecoach number 66 leaves from Preston Bus Stand and takes you direct to Lord Street.

To come from Blackpool, get on number 61 first from Whitegate Drive, The Saddle, and then hop onto the 66.

Weather

According to BBC's long term weather forecast, the air show weekend is set to be a wet one.

Saturday is predicted to be cloudy with sunny spells and bursts of rains, with a high of 17 degrees.

How much does it cost?

Air show tickets are available to buy here and at the gate on the day (although they are slightly more expensive).

Buying in advance they are £8.36 for adults and £6.27 for children. Children under five go free.

Aircraft on display

The Vulcan returns to Southport Beach for its last ever flight. It will be flying on the Saturday only.

The Red Arrows, Typhoon, Blades, Hurrican and Spitfire, Swordfish, Black Cats, Chinkook (Saturday only) and Bulldog will all return.

And from 10.30, you can see the flex wing microlight, steen skybolt, WWII Replica Storch, Auster Autocrat, Hornet Moth, Corby Starlet and Savannah VG landing on the beach on a purpose built runway.

The Vulcan - and the amazing Vulcan and Red Arrows formation

The Vulcan returns to Southport Beach for its last ever flight. It will be flying on the Saturday only.

As a part of the V-force, the Vulcan was the backbone of the UK’s airborne nuclear deterrent during much of the Cold War, and will be wowing crowds at the display subject to weather and technical conditions beyond organiser's control.

This year visitors will be able to witness a truly iconic flypast - the Vulcan saying its farewell, accompanied by the world-famous Red Arrows. Do not miss this one!

What else is going on?

There will also be army tanks and trucks on display at the show, with the collection including WWII battle vehicles.

Armoured jeeps, German motorcycles and sidecar, US weapons and privately owned military vehicles will all be on show.

A built in assault course to battle against friends and family under camouflage will be in the display village, as well as a climbing tower, paintball range and bungee trampolines to get involved with.

Food

You can take in your own food and drink to the air show. BBQs/portable BBQs are not allowed however. There will be catering vans etc within the show grounds as well if you wish to buy food while you are there.

Road Closures

Some roads have been closed since Thursday.

The following road closures will be in place from Thursday, September 17, in preparation for the Air Show weekend and visitors arriving.

Marine Drive between Marine Way Bridge and the roundabout at Pleasureland will be closed from 12.00 pm on Thursday, September 17 until 11.59pm on Monday, September 21.
Traffic will be allowed to enter/exit ocean Plaza at DW Sports, but it will then have to travel back to Marine Parade. This is to allow for the build up and take down of the show.
Marine Drive will also be closed from Fairway to Marine Way Bridge, from Pleasureland to Weld Road, and from Pleasureland to the Esplanade roundabout.
Marine Parade will also be closed at the roundabout near McDonalds towards the coast. All these are to facilitate safe entry / exit for the event for vehicles and pedestrians going to the Air Show.

If you want to buy your tickets in advance you can do so by CLICKING HERE otherwise you can pay on the gate.

Remember the roads will be congested, plan your journey and try to arrive early.

Most importantly - Have a fantastic time