THE organisers of the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford have expressed their sympathies to the families of two aircrew who lost their lives at another airshow.

The historic Fairey Firefly aircraft was operated by the Royal Navy Historic Flight from Yeovilton in Somerset and was due to appear in the static display at the Air Tattoo this weekend.

It crashed during a display at the Flying Legends airshow at Duxford, Cambridgeshire, killing both crew members, Lieutenant Commander Bill Murton, 45, and Neil Rix, 29.

Richard Arquati, spokesman for the Air Tattoo, said: "The Fairey Firefly was due to be in our 100 Years of Flight display at the weekend. Naturally our sympathies go to the families of the aircrew who lost their lives so tragically on Saturday."

The aircraft recently appeared at the Classic Jets Airshow at Kemble and also participated in a Korean War anniversary flypast at the Cotswold Show and Country Fair at Cirencester.

Meanwhile, Swindon is bracing itself for an invasion of aircraft enthusiasts and aircrew for this weekend's event.

The first of around 500 aircraft expected to take part in this year's show began arriving today and forecasters are predicting bright sunny weather for the main show days on Saturday and Sunday.

This year, the Air Tattoo is celebrating the centenary of flight, as it is nearly 100 years since the Wright Brothers flew their Wright Flyer at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina. The show will also celebrate the world of ship and submarine hunting from the air with displays on the theme of Ocean Watch.

Hotels across the Swindon area will be reaping the benefits of the Air Tattoo, with many hotels completely full during Air Tattoo week.

Stephen Rees, general manager of the Express by Holiday Inn on Frankland Road, near Junction 16 of the M4, said: "We are going to be completely full during the weekend of the show, there will be no vacancies whatsoever. We have been open two years and it's like this every year."

Norma Brooks, landlady at the White Hart Hotel on the High Street in Cricklade, said the hotel had been fully booked for the week since last year. She said: "It is like this every year, people book for the next year when they leave this year."

More than 5,500 volunteers are currently preparing the site in readiness for the 100,000 visitors that are expected to enjoy the eight-hour flying display each day.

Tickets for the show are priced £27.95 in advance and £33 on the day at the venue. They are available by visiting branches of Waitrose, the Stroud and Swindon Building Society and selected Tourist Information Centres in Swindon and at the Evening Advertiser on Victoria Road.

www.airtattoo.com