Deputy Mike Higgins says he expects to have a definitive answer within the next two weeks as to whether the iconic Avro Lancaster, Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire will fly together in the Island on Thursday 14 September.
The RAF has already cancelled some BBMF shows in the UK after it detected a fault in the Merlin engine of a Hurricane aircraft. As a precaution the RAF have taken all Merlin-powered aircraft out of service which includes their only Lancaster, two Hurricanes and three Spitfires.
The BBC reported last week that the RAF have three other Spitfires powered by other engines but they are currently unavailable for other reasons.
Deputy Higgins said: ‘At the moment it is too early to say. All I can say is the problem is being looked at and they are trying to work out if its one engine or if its an issue affecting all of them. I expect to hear something in a week, maybe two weeks. We are making contingency plans.’
Asked what the contingency plans were, Deputy Higgins said he was unable to say but added: ‘We can book aircraft and at the last minute they can be stopped from coming by issues or weather problems. There are contingency plans. We have a shopping list of aircraft and we just work down the list.’
It has already been announced that the RAF Red Arrows will not be performing at this year’s event. The display team, which is on a diplomatic mission in Pakistan, is being replaced by Lativa’s Baltic Bees.
Meanwhile, Deputy Higgins said he has just returned from Germany where he says he secured the visit of the Dornier Seastar to this year’s display. The amphibious plane has only just rolled off the production line and is being pitched as a luxury private aircraft that will be popular with yacht owners.
