Tucano Aircraft To Return To Airshows

The Tucano will be replaced by the Texan in the fast jet training programme (Picture: MOD).

Royal Air Force Tucano aircraft will return to UK airshows this year after a five-year absence.

It will be part of the newly-reformed Tucano Display Team.

The Tucano T1 is being withdrawn from RAF service in 2019 after 30 years.

It will be replaced in the fast jet training programme by the Texan T1, which completed its first flight earlier this year at RAF Valley.

The Texan has the ability to simulate missions in both fourth and fifth-generation aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning and Typhoon.

The Tucano Display Team worked for eight months to gain Public Display Authority.

Flt Lt Matthews works as an instructor at RAF Linton-On Ouse where he trains future RAF fast jet pilots, and said the team is "really looking forward to displaying the Tucano to the public".

The team's display manager, Lieutenant Matt Nightingale said the confirmation was "the gateway to allowing us [to] celebrate the end of Tucano all over the UK in its final year".

"We are eager and excited to begin the 2019 display season and hope that the public will be able to join us to see this fantastic aircraft display throughout the summer," he said.