SOME of the earliest human flights will be commemorated at this year's Yorkshire Air Show.

Flight fans will be flocking to the former RAF wartime bomber base at Elvington during the August Bank Holiday to watch an "aerial ballet" marking the beginning of glider flights.

It was on Brompton Vale, near Scarborough, that Sir George Cayley, "the Father of Aeronautics", conducted the first man-carrying flight of a heavier-than-air machine, almost 150 years ago, in 1853.

Thousands of people are expected to enjoy the annual mix of wartime and contemporary air shows that have come to make the annual event so popular.

This year's show, sponsored by the Evening Press, will be held on Sunday, August 25, and Monday, August 26.

Among the sights will be formation aerobatics provided by the Yakovlev Team, flying Russian YAK 52 trainers, and the Apache Team, in four jet L39 Albatros trainers.

Two former RAF Gnat jet trainers will also display in the colours of the Red Arrows in the 1960s.

The RAF's current equipment in the show will include a Sepecat Jaguar Strike aircraft, the Tornado F3 defence fighter, and a Nimrod anti-submarine hunter.

Classic planes like the Lancaster Bomber, Spitfire, and Hurricane, will also be based at the airfield over the weekend.

For the first time, combat aircraft from the Dutch Air Force will display their skills along with an Apache attack helicopter.

Show chiefs are also hoping the Canadian Air Force will parade some transport aircraft.

Enthusiasts can delight at the sight of a De Havilland Sea Vixen twin-engine supersonic carrier-borne fighter bomber.

This unique aircraft, one of very few survivors, is the only one still flying in the world today.

Organisers are confident the plane will provide an impressive highlight to the daily flying display.

In addition to all this action, the day's show will include the crazy antics of the Amazing Motorcycle Madmen, including their Tunnel Of Fire, and a fast taxi run by a former RAF Handley Page Victor V-bomber.

For further details log on to the web-site at www.elvington.org.co.uk, or phone the hotline on 01759 305851 for ticket information.

Updated: 12:01 Wednesday, June 19, 2002