Everything you need to know about this year's Sunderland International Airshow

Wearside will be looking to the skies this weekend as the city welcomes its annual airshow spectacular.
Sunderland International Airshow takes off this weekendSunderland International Airshow takes off this weekend
Sunderland International Airshow takes off this weekend

We've compiled a guide to everything you need to know about the highlight of the calendar, from entertainment on the ground, to the high-flying stars of the show.

*The airshow begins at 6pm on Friday at Cliffe Park, Seaburn, featuring music from the The Rat Pack Boys, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire) with live musical accompaniment from The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth; Royal Air Force Aerobatic Display Team - the Red Arrows (9 x Hawk T1); RAF Typhoon (Typhoon FGR4); Twister Duo pyrotechnic display (2 x Silence Twister) and The brand new AeroSPARX display team (2 x Grob 109). The Friday event will close at 10pm with a firework display.

Crowds at SeaburnCrowds at Seaburn
Crowds at Seaburn
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*Flying will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 12.30pm to 5.15pm.

*Exact timings are available from the Airshow programme.

*The airshow is free to attend with the best viewing points along Roker and Seaburn.

Who Can You Expect To See?

Entertainment in the skiesEntertainment in the skies
Entertainment in the skies

*Flying on the Saturday only will be Royal Air Force Aerobatic Display Team - the Red Arrows - 9 x Hawk T1

*Flying on the Sunday only will be Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 and Mitchell 320 - B-25 Mitchell

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*On both days spectators can enjoy RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team, RAF BBMF - Battle of Britain Memorial Flight - Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire, Vortex 525 - Chinook, The Tigers Freefall Parachute Display Team, Royal Navy Swordfish - Fairey Swordfish, Royal Navy Black Cats - 2 x Wildcat HMA Mk 2, Red Bull Matadors - 2 x Xtreme XA41, OV-10 Bronco, Gyrocopter - Calidus Rotorsport, Twister Duo, Amphibious Beach Assault, Vampire Pair - de Havilland Vampires FB52 and T55, The Blades - 4 x Extra 300 , RAF Typhoon 35 - Typhoon FGR4, Strikemaster Mk82A and Hangar 11 Combo - P40 Kittyhawk and P51D Mustang.

*HMS Bulwark arrives in the city today from 3.30pm and will be docked at Corporation Quay for the weekend. She won't be open to the public, but the best place to spot her is from the National Glass Centre.

The Black Cats will be flyingThe Black Cats will be flying
The Black Cats will be flying

*To get social and share your pictures of the Airshow, and for updates, use the hashtag #SunAirshow

*Follow our coverage throughout the weekend on our live blog and Twitter and Facebook pages.

How To Get There

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*On Friday evening you can park and ride from the Stadium of Light to Bungalow Cafe for a charge of £2 per person return (under 5s free). Buses run from 2pm The last bus departs from Bungalow Cafe at 11pm

Crowds at SeaburnCrowds at Seaburn
Crowds at Seaburn

*On Saturday and Sunday Nexus will be running park and ride buses from Fulwell Quarry (near Millers Inn, SR5 1JT) and Downhill Sports Complex (near Keighley Avenue, SR5 4BB) on both days for a charge of £2 per person return (under 5s free).

*On-site parking - limited seafront parking is available at Seaburn Showfield for a fee of £20 per car which will be collected at the entrance to the car park. Follow the signs from major routes.

*Disabled parking - Disabled parking for blue badge holders is available on-site at the rear of Morrison's. Follow the signs from all the main routes.