The skies above northern England have been alive with the roar of jet engines and the shimmer of history this September, as the Red Arrows and a unique vintage seaplane have captivated thousands of spectators across Cumbria, Tyne and Wear, and Yorkshire. From the serene waters of Windermere to the bustling streets of Newcastle and the rolling hills of Yorkshire, aviation enthusiasts and casual onlookers alike have been treated to a rare confluence of past and present in British flight.
On September 5, 2025, the Royal Air Force’s renowned aerobatic display team, the Red Arrows, performed a dazzling flypast in Cumbria as part of the annual Wings over Windermere event. According to Cumbria Crack, the Red Arrows weren’t alone in the skies: they shared airspace with a Spitfire and the Waterbird, a painstakingly crafted replica of the world’s first successful British seaplane, which originally took flight from Windermere in 1911.
The Waterbird, an exact replica of the historic aircraft, is more than just a feat of engineering nostalgia. As Ian Gee, chair of the Lakes Flying Company, explained to Cumbria Crack, “Every such plane built since Waterbird has used a stepped float that made it possible to break the surface tension and lift from the water.” This innovation, developed by Captain Edward Wakefield and first demonstrated on Windermere, laid the groundwork for subsequent advances in naval aviation—including the legendary Spitfire, whose designer, RJ Mitchell, honed his craft on seaplanes competing for the Schneider Trophy in the 1920s and 1930s.
Lt Cdr Chris Gotke, Air Force Cross and Fixed Wing Commander at the Empire Test Pilots’ School, has had the privilege of piloting the replica Waterbird during the event’s demonstrations. Reflecting on the experience, he told Cumbria Crack, “It was a great privilege, especially when you think of where she sits in history and all the aircraft that developed from her. I’m incredibly proud to fly this delightful aircraft and be a part of the wonderful team who are showing the public a key part of UK naval aviation heritage and history.”
Organizers have gone to great lengths to ensure the public can witness this slice of aviation history. The Waterbird demonstration, which involves taking off from the lake, flying up to 100 feet in a straight line, and then landing on the water, is not an aerobatic display but rather a testament to the plane’s original capabilities. Spectators gathered at Brockhole, where entry was free, with additional viewing from the lawns at Low Wood Bay, which offered pay and display parking at the Water Sports Centre.
The logistics of staging the event are formidable. The Waterbird is stored at Liverpool Airport and must be disassembled, transported by truck, and then reassembled for each flight—a process that requires months of planning, detailed licensing, and permissions from the Lake District National Park Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority. Organizers are actively seeking a permanent home for the aircraft by the lake, which would allow for more frequent flights and greater public access.
To further commemorate Windermere’s vital role in British aviation, a permanent exhibition has opened on the first floor of Windermere Library. The display chronicles the lake’s pioneering history, from the first successful water takeoffs in the UK to the establishment of a naval seaplane school and a flying boat factory during World War II. The replica Waterbird project itself has garnered seven awards from aeronautical organizations, underscoring its significance within the aviation community.
While the echoes of history soared over Windermere, the Red Arrows were preparing for another iconic British tradition: the Great North Run. After being absent in 2024 due to overseas commitments, the aerobatic team made a triumphant return for the 2025 event, thrilling spectators with not one, but two scheduled flypasts on Sunday, September 7. As reported by ChronicleLive, the Red Arrows’ vibrant red, white, and blue smoke trails once again graced the Tyne Bridge, marking a highlight for both runners and fans. The first flypast over Newcastle was set for 11:30am, with the team departing Newcastle Airport at 11:10am and returning at 11:36am. The second display, over South Shields, was scheduled for 1:45pm, with the planes leaving Newcastle Airport at 1:34pm and heading to RAF Waddington by 2:32pm.
The Red Arrows’ route was a spectacle in itself, tracing a path over Powburn, Longhorsley, Ingram, and Dinnington before the Tyne Bridge flypast, then passing over Lanchester and Follingsby en route to South Shields. According to ExaminerLive, their journey didn’t end there. After their South Shields display, the team soared across Yorkshire’s skies, cutting through the center of York around 2:10pm, and offering residents of Middlesbrough, Helmsley, Easingwold, Selby, and Snaith a glimpse of their famous formation before heading southeast to their home base at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire. Leeds residents, meanwhile, got a preview on Friday, September 5, as the Red Arrows were spotted flying overhead, their distinctive arrow formation and colored trails impossible to miss.
For many, the Red Arrows’ return to the Great North Run was a moment of restored tradition. The absence of their display in 2024 was widely felt, but the 2025 event, broadcast live on the BBC from 10:00am, promised not just a race but a full-on aerial celebration. The Red Arrows’ participation has become as much a part of the event as the runners themselves, with their flypast over the Tyne Bridge consistently ranking among the most anticipated moments of the day.
It’s not every weekend that the public can witness both a century-old seaplane and the precision aerobatics of the Red Arrows in the same region. The Wings over Windermere event and the Great North Run flypasts together offered a rare opportunity to reflect on the UK’s rich aviation heritage while celebrating the skill and spectacle of its present-day pilots. Whether you were standing on the shores of Windermere, cheering runners in Newcastle, or gazing up from a Yorkshire village, the message was clear: the story of British flight is as vibrant and thrilling as ever.
With permanent exhibitions, ongoing restoration projects, and beloved public displays, the legacy of pioneers like Captain Edward Wakefield and the enduring appeal of the Red Arrows continue to inspire new generations. As the Waterbird glides across Windermere and the Red Arrows streak overhead, the skies above northern England remain a stage for history, innovation, and pure spectacle.
