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Organisers of Jersey's Air Display have revealed some of the new aircraft due to appear in this year's show – just as funding and sponsorship talks are starting to ramp up.
Mike Higgins, who leads the Jersey International Air Display – a not-for-profit company which has organised the free air show for over two decades – also confirmed it will still be held in the second week of September and not follow Guernsey’s move to June.
He told Express that he was "in discussions" with government over funding for this year and was also "still going out for sponsorship".
"One of the reasons for the [government] grant is to help the tourism industry in the shoulder months."
Last year's display nearly didn't happen, had it not been for a successful last-ditch call for funding made by organisers, as well as a £60,000 grant from the Economic Development Department.
Organiser Mike Higgins, pictured above at last year's display, said funding was currently being sought for the 2024 event.
"We are running through all of the stages that we need to," Mr Higgins continued.
Although the fan-favourites, the Red Arrows, will not be making an appearance this year - as they will be on tour in Canada - Mr Higgins revealed that the show was "trying to get a number of airplanes that we have never had before".
The first of these aircraft to be announced are:
The Fokker D.XXI fighter (pictured below) – a single seat 1940s Dutch fighter that was flown by the Dutch Air Force before the country was overwhelmed by German forces during the Blitzkreig in May 1940.
The Saab B17 (pictured below) – a single engine World War II dive bomber designed and built in Sweden.
Pictured: Both planes will be new to this year's display.
Mr Higgins said: "Both these aircraft are new to Jersey for this year’s display. At this point in time the Fokker D.XXI has not flown in a UK air display. The Saab B17 has only once flown in a UK display which was over 20 years ago at Duxford."
He added: "We shall be announcing more and more aircraft as the weeks go by up to the display which will have many new aircraft taking part as well as some of Jersey spectators’ favourites."
Regularly stepping into the cockpit of an aircraft capable of diving faster than the speed of sound certainly stands among the more unique job descriptions out there...
Bailiwick Podcasts previously spoke to Red Arrows team leader Tom Bould on the future of air displays, the RAF's pathway to net-zero carbon emissions and whether he ever gets nervous before a show, as he prepared to hang up his jumpsuit...
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