D-Day marked by the Red Arrows and others

Thursday 06 June 2019

St Peter Port saw five acts take to the skies as part of this year’s Air Display, marking the 75th anniversary of D Day, much to the enjoyment of the gathered crowds.

Met with fortunate sunshine and clear skies, those crowds were split between onlookers who camped out for the display and surprised shoppers and workers on their lunch breaks.

Pictured: The usual viewing spots were claimed early. 

The show took place during lunchtime today from 11:15 to 13:15, with crowds gathered all along the town front from 11:00, with full car parks stretching all the way to St Sampson's. By the scheduled start time there were people lining up along the sea front with more people appearing throughout the display until the crowds peaked during the Red Arrows display. 

Pictured: Prince Albert appeared to enjoy the view. 

The annual event typically takes place in September but was rescheduled this year due to timing conflicts with the Red Arrows’ US and Canada tour. When that date couldn't be booked, the organisers asked for D-Day instead, and were surprised to find the Channel Islands fitted into the troupe's diary between a performance in the UK yesterday during the State Visit of US President, Donald Trump, and a fly past over Normandy today. 

Pictured: The Red Arrows. 

As per tradition, The Red Arrows closed the show with the largest crowds then gathered as workers also took their lunch breaks.

The programme also included the Swansea-based formation aerobatic display team Team Raven, stunt performer Cheeky Champ, the high energy Muscle Bi-plane as well as the UK’s first and only disabled formation flying team ‘Bader’s Bus Company’.

Pictured: Team Raven. 

The change of date did not appear to bother most onlookers, one of whom was unaware of the event taking place today but said “the weather is really good and it’s great to do it on a day like this – it also coinciding with D-Day”. 

One woman who brought camping chairs and a picnic described the date change as “a shame but other than the date we normally have, this would be the best one”.

The only concern appeared to be for people who may have planned trips to the island for September who could risk being disappointed at missing the display.

Pictured: Cheeky Champ. 

One Dad and his son Milo said the smoke from the Red Arrows were the highlight. “My favourite ones are the blue ones” Milo said.

With the exception of the people’s favourite, The Red Arrows, a couple who took a packed lunch for the show were particularly impressed with Team Raven calling them "very good".

Pictured: Muscle Bi-Plane. 

Two teenagers named the bi-plane as a highlight but suggested that more of a spectacle could be made on anniversaries such as this one, saying “it would be cool to doing something a little different, perhaps including stalls, but not every year.”

One couple visiting from Herefordshire expressed a similar sentiment. 

‘If they were to go with the whole hog revival of the 1940s that would be interesting, but I don’t know how that would work with the islanders” they said.

They added how pleased that the show was viewable from such a close proximity in Guernsey, having viewed the show two years ago in Jersey.

Pictured: Bader's Bus Company. 

A couple holidaying from the Netherlands for two weeks, were unaware of the display being scheduled but knew it was the 75^th anniversary of D-Day, calling the show “a pleasant surprise”.

Pictured above and top: The Red Arrows. All Air Display images by Luke Le Prevost.