Moray airbase families and friends on ‘Red’ Alert?

Red Arrows - hopes of a Moray flypast
Red Arrows – hopes of a Moray flypast

AIRCRAFT ENTHUSIASTS LOOK set for something a little bit different in Moray on Saturday when Families and Friends Day is held at RAF Lossiemouth.

While access to the base for the event is strictly by invitation only, the RAF have confirmed that three flying displays should, weather permitting, be visible to all from outside the base area.

And while a statement from the Moray base has confirmed the displays will take place – they would not confirm if that might include a fly-past by the Red Arrows.

The famous display team are already a month into their 2016 summer season and are due to be on show at the Arbroath ‘Festival of Heroes’ on Saturday – and Lossiemouth is buzzing with strong suggestions that they may make a detour to take in the Moray base alongside another legend of the air.

A somewhat slower but equally popular visitor could also be the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota ZA947.

However, if these aircraft do join the resident Typhoons and Tornados at the Moray base was being kept a tight-lipped secret in a statement from the base Station Commander, Group Captain Paul Godfrey, who said of the event on Saturday: “This has been an incredibly busy time at RAF Lossiemouth as we support operational missions around the world.

“Our personnel always give their best, and the valuable support provided by their families and friends is never forgotten. Our Families and Friends Day is a way of getting the whole Station together to say thank you for their continued efforts during such times.”

A statement from the base confirmed that all being well the three flying displays will take place over RAF Lossiemouth between 12noon and 4pm, but adds the warning: “As with all events of this nature they can be delayed or cancelled if necessary because of weather or other safety requirements.”

The Red Arrows are due to put on their show over Arbroath at 3pm on Saturday and are understood to be using Aberdeen Airport as their fuelling base.