If you looked to the skies over the Dorset coastline tonight, you might have seen a Second World War bomber or someone standing on a biplane.
These were just a few of the fantastic sights that greeted aero-buffs as the Bournemouth Air Festival finally got underway following a delay due to rain.
As for the red and blue swirly vapour trails – that could mean only one thing: the Red Arrows are in town.
Comprising nine BAE Systems Hawk T1/T1A jets, they’re one of the world’s premier aerobatic display teams.
Others who have taken to the air so far include a member of the Breitling Wingwalkers, who put on a balletic show while perched on the upper wing of a Boeing-Stearman.
The Bournemouth Air Festival began this evening. Among those wowing the crowds was a member of the Breitling Wingwalkers, who put on a balletic display while perched on the upper wing of a Boeing-Stearman
The festival, which runs until September 3, is now in its tenth year. Above, a wingwalker performs feats of derring-do while standing on a biplane
The iconic Red Arrows dazzled festivalgoers tonight. The vapour trails are produced using a smoke generation system which pumps diesel mixed with appropriately coloured dye into the jet exhaust
Since it formed in 1965, the Red Arrows have flown more than 4,800 displays demonstrating excellence, precision and the best of British in 57 countries
A Blenheim bomber – used extensively in the first two years of the Second World War – flew over Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Argus this evening
And old technology met new as a Blenheim bomber flew over Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Argus.
The Twister Aerobatics Team also put on a daredevil show over Bournemouth beach.
However, those looking forward to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be disappointed. It was set to star a Lancaster bomber, two Hurricanes and three Spitfires.
But earlier this month, the craft were grounded due to technical issues, according to the Bournemouth Echo.
The incredibly nimble Twister Aerobatics Team also put on a daredevil show over Bournemouth beach
The wingwalkers have to endure speeds of up to 150mph during their breathtaking routines
This year’s start was delayed due to rain – as illustrated by this man who took shelter between two beach huts; while others got soaked in the torrential rain
‘We have been working behind the scenes to bring festival goers similar World War II aircraft to the show this year from civilian providers.
‘So, you will see Spitfires and a Hurricane and, new for this year, the Bristol Blenheim will now display Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday,’ festival director Jon Weaver told the Echo.
The festival, which runs until September 3, is now in its tenth year.
Other aircraft on display over the next few days include a Chinook, Spitfire, Tigers Parachute Display Team, Blades aerobatic team, a P-51 Mustang, MiG 15 and Red Devils Parachute Team.
Thousands of festivalgoers gathered to watch the first day of spectacular air displays
Dark clouds gathered over Bournemouth Beach on day one of the festival, which is now in its tenth year
The event, which runs until September 3, drew a crowd well prepared for the inclement weather. Those looking forward to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be disappointed. It was set to star a Lancaster bomber, two Hurricanes and three Spitfires. But earlier this month, the craft were grounded due to technical issues
Armed police were seen patrolling the promenade next to the beach today