The first day of the Suffolk Show was brought to a close with a spectacular parachute display, with crowds cheering as the beaming jumpers dropped out of the sky.
Stands were filled with people ready and waiting to be wowed by the RAF Falcons Parachute Display team on Wednesday afternoon.
The display was a little behind schedule as the Grand Parade had overrun, and anticipation was building for the show’s climactic finish.
The RAF Falcons is the UK’s premier military parachute display team. Based in Norton in Oxfordshire, the team perform their displays all over Britain and Europe throughout the year, having performed many times for the Royal Family and other heads of state.
They are heralded for setting records and introducing many spectacular innovations to formation skydiving – and their skill and passion were evident as they pulled off daring moves at dizzying heights.
The RAF Falcons have performed for the royals and other heads of state. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)
The parachute jumpers sometimes descend at speeds up to 120mph. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)
The RAF Falcons descended into the Suffolk Show to gales of applause. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)
The commentator explained that the crew wear thick gloves to manage the freezing temperatures at high altitudes, which then come in handy when they begin their descent, sometimes falling at speeds up to 120mph, and their equipment becomes too hot to touch.
All the RAF Falcons parachute display team members are drawn from the personnel of the Airborne Delivery Wing, based at RAF Brize Norton.
The final team member to land in the Grand Ring at the Suffolk Show on Wednesday was Flight Lieutenant Jennifer Littler.
As the Falcons began their descent, the commentator advised the crowds that the Falcons could hear them and would enjoy a rousing welcome back to earth.
The crowds took these words to heart, and it was smiles all round from the Falcons when they finally touched down.
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