One of the biggest public demonstrations of RAF air and ground capability will be on display at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo.

It forms part of international celebrations marking the Royal Air Force’s centenary.

Fast jets, transport planes, surveillance and training aircraft will be joined by warbirds from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as the Fairford airshow showcases the Royal Air Force’s past, present and future.

An Air Tattoo spokesman said: “The tattoo is renowned for staging memorable aerial set pieces to mark important aviation milestones – and anniversaries don’t come much bigger than the centenary of the Royal Air Force.

“There’s an incredible line up of aircraft already scheduled to take part. We’re planning a few surprises that we are sure will delight the crowds. Next month’s event has been years in the planning and is definitely a tattoo not to be missed.”

Among more than 300 aircraft due to take part are more than 40 aircraft from RAF stations across the UK.

These include some of the biggest, newest and most rarely-seen – such as the Phenom trainer, the RAF’s multi-engine aircrew training aircraft; the Voyager, an air-to-air refuelling and strategic air transport and the RC-135W Rivet Joint, the RAF’s electronic surveillance aircraft.

And the RAF Red Arrows will be their wowing the crowds with their daring flight display

Also helping bring the RAF’s history to life will be a number of civilian-operated historic aircraft including the Hawker Hunter, Gloster Meteor, de Havilland Vampire and de Havilland Tiger Moth.

The event, runs from July 13 to July 15, features aircraft from a number of Coalition Partners as well as the UK’s European, Commonwealth and Middle Eastern allies such as France, Ukraine, Italy, Canada, Germany, the US and Romania.

Each day will see more than seven hours’ flying.

Among the other attractions is the Techno Zone, offering hands-on activities designed to stimulate young minds by bringing the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) curriculum to life.