Resounding success for first day of air show

The Haven Gt Yarmouth 2018 Air Show.The Red Arrows.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

The highlight of the show was the sight of the Red Arrows performing dazzling manoeuvres over the seafront.

The four hours of displays also featured a Lancaster bomber, a Hurricane and a Spitfire, the Blades and Wildcats team, a Catalina and the Great War Team.

The Haven Gt Yarmouth 2018 Air Show.Wing-Walking dispaly team.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

The Tigers Army Parachute Display Team also landed on the main beach and presented mayor Mary Coleman with an official flag of the borough.

Gareth Brown is chairman of the Great Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area, which organised the show.

The Haven Gt Yarmouth 2018 Air Show. Pitts light aerobatic bi-plane.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

He said the first day of the show had been “phenomenal”.

Mr Brown said: “We were aiming for 170,000 people over the two days and I think we are on target to hit that.

The Haven Gt Yarmouth 2018 Air Show.The Red Arrows.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

“It is impossible to know exactly how many people were here today, but it was tens and tens of thousands, I think there is no doubt about that.”

He said Gorleston and Hemsby were also busy throughout the day.

The Haven Gt Yarmouth 2018 Air Show.The Blades.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

“It has been phenomenal,” Mr Brown said. “It has been a long time in the planning and we have spent two years trying to get to this point.

“We are now looking forward to another jam packed day tomorrow [Sunday].

The Haven Gt Yarmouth 2018 Air Show.Tigers Army Parachute display team.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

“The weather is looking slightly better tomorrow, so if anything it could be busier.”

The second day of the air show starts at 1pm tomorrow.

The Haven Gt Yarmouth 2018 Air Show.The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

Provisional times for displays are

1-2pm: Tigers Army freefall parachute team; Long EZ; G-EWIZ Pitts Special; Strikemaster jet; RAF Tutor T1

Great Yarmouth Air Show. Picture: Alan Moss (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

2-3pm: Battle of Britain Memorial Flight fighter pair Hurricane and Spitfire; Bremont Great War Display Team; RotorSport Calidus autogyro

3-4pm: RAF Red Arrows; Bronco; Wildcats; Catalina

Great Yarmouth Air Show. Picture: Alan Moss (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

4-5pm: Vampire vintage jet pair; The Blades; AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers; Spitfire Mk IX

The Red Arrows return to Norwich Airport after a successful show at Gt Yarmouth. Picture: Malcolm Roe (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

Red Arrows at Norwich Airport. Picture: Jo Clarke (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

Red Arrows at Norwich Airport. Picture: Jo Clarke (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

Red Arrows at Norwich Airport. Picture: Jo Clarke (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

Fantastic flying displays on Saturday afternoon at Great Yarmouth Air Show. Picture: Roman Czajkowski (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

Fantastic flying displays on Saturday afternoon at Great Yarmouth Air Show. Picture: Roman Czajkowski (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

Fantastic flying displays on Saturday afternoon at Great Yarmouth Air Show. Picture: Roman Czajkowski (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

Fantastic flying displays on Saturday afternoon at Great Yarmouth Air Show. Picture: Roman Czajkowski (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

Fantastic flying displays on Saturday afternoon at Great Yarmouth Air Show. Picture: Roman Czajkowski (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

Fantastic flying displays on Saturday afternoon at Great Yarmouth Air Show. Picture: Roman Czajkowski (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

Fantastic flying displays on Saturday afternoon at Great Yarmouth Air Show. Picture: Roman Czajkowski (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

Fantastic flying displays on Saturday afternoon at Great Yarmouth Air Show. Picture: Roman Czajkowski (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

Fantastic flying displays on Saturday afternoon at Great Yarmouth Air Show. Picture: Roman Czajkowski (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)