THE Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be taking part in next week’s Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta air displays.

Due to an engine fire, the Lancaster bomber will be unable to attend, but a Spitfire and a Hurricane will show off their aerial ballet to the watching crowds on Friday and Saturday.

In the 75th anniversary year of the Battle of Britain, this promises to a poignant moment in aviation history, say organisers.

Also among the aircraft will be, for the first time, some singleton civilian registered aircraft flown by very experienced pilots from the air show circuit.

The display programme starts with the grunt of the T6 Texan flown by John Beattie, who has many hours displaying a wide range of aircraft types. He is a retired Royal Navy Pilot, very familiar with the Dartmouth area.

The Royal Navy piloted aircraft continues with the Czech Mates, whose lead is Lt Si Wilson based at RNAS Yeovilton. He runs the team in his spare time flying the Zlin 526F.

One of the pair of aircraft is unserviceable at present and requires engineering work, so expect a change of one of the aircraft to either a Boeing Stearman or Waco YMF-5. Also celebrating its 75th and final year is 771 Squadron Royal Navy Search and Rescue. These red and grey Sea King aircraft has been a regular sight around the West­country for many years, saving countless lives.

This will be 771 Squadron’s last regatta flying the venerable Sea King as search and rescue duties are being civilianised with 771 Sqn disbanding in the coming months.

Jason Aylett, regatta flight display director, said: ‘I’m expecting both the Friday and Saturday to be extremely busy and the Red Arrows display will be a firm favourite.

‘The world famous nine Red Hawk aircraft will fill the skies with the very patriotic red, white and blue on Friday evening, led by Red 1 and team leader Squadron Leader Dave Montenegro.’

Saturday’s programme has the Royal Navy Raiders parachute display team; a Strikemaster; a Pitts S2S stunt plane; the Spitfire and Hurricane; and finally the immensely powerful and noisy Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter flown by the youthful Flight Lieutenant Jonny Dowen.

Jason added: ‘Donations are paramount to the success of the whole regatta, so please help and give as much as you can.’

You can buy a regatta programme for a full list of all the teams taking part and the timings of displays.

You can also keep up to date by following the regatta on Twitter @Royal Regatta or on Facebook at the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta or visit www.dartmouthregatta.co.uk.