With the roar-some news that the Red Arrows will be based in Southend this summer, we decided to jet back in time to look at some of the magnificent air shows once held in our city.
The famous RAF Red Arrows display team are to be based at Southend Airport this August while they take part in three air shows - in Eastbourne, Folkstone and Clacton.
Alas the Southend Air Show, which always hosted the thrilling Red Arrows, has been confined to the history books for several years now due to funding issues.
The event was once the largest free air show in Europe and was held each year at the end of May.
It took place every year for 27 years since its inception in 1986.
That first year was the only time a fee was charged for the airshow.
The star of the show on that day was a British Airways Concorde, which performed a double pass carrying 150 passengers whilst on its way back to Heathrow.
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