Thousands expected at Foynes Air Show

More than 15,000 spectators are expected gather along the shores of the Shannon Estuary in West Limerick for the Foynes Air Show this Sunday.

Authentic World War Two airplanes, Aer Lingus' first airplane, modern fighter jets and one the largest search and rescue (SAR) training exercises ever undertaken in Ireland are among the highlights of the second annual show.

It is being hosted by Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum, the historic departure point for Ireland's first transatlantic air crossings.

The Foynes Air Show will also feature aircraft displays from across Europe, along with some of the world’s top aerobatic pilots.

The event opens at 1pm with the Irish Air Corps, Naval Service (LÉ Samuel Beckett), Irish Coastguard, and SAR teams from all over the country carrying out a massive sea, land and air exercise.

Among the aircraft taking to the skies over West Limerick and the Shannon Estuary will be a Russian Mini MiG, authentic World War II aeroplanes, a Hawker Hunter fighter, a P51 Mustang and James Bond's BD-5 Micro-Jet. Meanwhile, Aer Lingus’ first plane, the Iolar, will be flying in formation for one of the first times ever at a public display with three de Havilland Chipmunks in Air Corps colours.

GALLERY: Foynes Airshow. Pic Sean Curtin @fusionshooters http://t.co/TnILI6LUXh pic.twitter.com/PckXSFhrrB

— Irish Examiner Photos (@ExaminerPhotos) July 6, 2014

The Air Show will also feature the world's only formation wingwalking display team, The Breitling Wingwalkers who will perform a sequence of formation loops and rolls while wingwalkers perform acrobatics on the wings.

The show, which continues until 6pm, will also feature live music, food stalls and children's entertainment.

Organisers say that Park and Ride services will be provided throughout the event to enhance access to and from the show site.

The Foynes Air Show was first held in 2014 when the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum marked the 75th anniversary of the first transatlantic commercial passenger flight that took place to the Flyingboat base, located 23 miles from Limerick City.