SPECTATORS at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford this weekend will be able to enjoy the daredevil antics of the Utterly Butterly wing-walkers.

The four female wing-walkers Sophie Sharpe, Marie Duguid, Helen Tempest and Rhiannon Nugent will be reaching for the skies on both Saturday and Sunday.

This will be the first time that the Utterly Butterlys bring four Boeing Stearman bi-planes and four walkers.

The display will dazzle spectators with breath-taking aerobatic sequences and the women waving from the top wings of the classic aircraft.

The displays hark back to a thrilling era when young aces returned from the First World War. They were also eager to show off and thrill crowds with their flying skills.

Surplus aircraft were easy to come by, so the aces persuaded their brave girlfriends to walk out along their biplane's fabric-covered wings.

The pilots and their wing-walkers became heroes and heroines, often performing several times a day, every day at country fairs and airshows throughout the Summer.

For Marie and Sophie, it is their debut airshow season.

Marie said: "Wing-walking is utterly fantastic.

"Looping the skies at 150mph is the ultimate in highflying careers."

Their display may look dangerous, but the very latest in safety technology ensures that this year's displays are more dynamic and daring as ever but preventing performers from unecessary dangers.

Internet: www.airtattoo.com

www.utterly-butterly.co.uk