Royal Navy Merlin to join 2025 airshow lineup
- Ayrshire Daily News
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
SAC are pleased to announce an exciting addition to the flying display schedule at this year’s International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight – the Royal Navy Merlin!
The Royal Navy Merlin from 814 Naval Air Squadron will take to the skies above Ayr shorefront on Saturday 6 September for a thrilling aerial display that is not to be missed.
814 Squadron are based at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose and are nicknamed the “Flying Tigers” due to a fierce tiger motif that they have on the nose of their aircraft.
Locals may be familiar with the Merlin Mk 2 helicopter, with its five blade rotors and distinctive sound, as it also operates from RNAS Gannet at Prestwick Airport and can often be seen in the South Ayrshire skies.
Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Brian Connolly said: “The flying display schedule for this year’s event is already looking spectacular. This is the first time we’ve had the Merlin booked for the International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight, so I’m sure visitors to the event, including those who attended in 2023 and 2024, will be thrilled to see another new display added to the bill this year.”
Depute Leader of South Ayrshire Council and Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Rural Affairs, Councillor Alec Clark said: “It’s a pleasure to be able to reveal that the Royal Navy Merlin will display at this year’s festival. The strong lineup of aerial displays is sure to make the airshow one of the most highly anticipated tourist events in the country this year, and there’s plenty more for families to enjoy in the Festival Village over the weekend.”
CEO of theSKYLAB, Dr Geoff Coxon, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have the Merlin display with us in 2025. As well as being a phenomenal aircraft to watch display, it also is a way than we highlight the critical operations and role that the team at RNAS Gannet, Prestwick carry out. It also allows us to celebrate, and commemorate, the important heritage that the Royal Navy and the fleet Air Arm have here in South Ayrshire.”
The International Ayr Show - Festival of Flight will take place at Ayr shorefront on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 September with a jam-packed lineup of thrilling aerial displays as well as fun for the whole family in our Festival Village on the Low Green.
You can keep up to date with upcoming airshow news at www.ayrshow.co.uk
