The world's best pilots will be entertaining the crowds with eight non-stop hours of sensational flying at the Royal International Air Tattoo 2002.

After two years elsewhere, the tattoo is making a big comeback to RAF Fairford, where more than 450 aircraft, hot air balloons, stalls, exhibits, road shows and virtual reality rides promise to make this a show for all the family.

The Royal Air Force Red Arrows will give a superstar performance, soaring in a special routine dedicated to Her Majesty.

The show opens with an all-British flypast of Hunter, Harrier, Nimrod and Tornado aircraft, and the 21st-century Eurofighter, symbolising the five decades of the Queen's reign.

Visitors to the tattoo are guaranteed to be thrilled by the solo jet routines, gravity-defying helicopter manoeuvres, astounding aerobatics teams, massed flypasts, airborne set-pieces and the enduring magic of the Spitfire.

The show will also pay tribute to bomber crews from all nations, past and present, both in the air and on the ground.

The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster will perform a memorial flypast in memory of bomber crews who will never return, and the Flying Fortress, star of the film Memphis Belle, will represent the United States Eighth Air Force on its 60th anniversary.

Following the spectacular airshow, visitors will be invited to a jubilee promenade concert hosted by radio personality Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart.

Trestle tables, bunting, Union Jacks, party hats and community singing will recreate the street party atmosphere of the Queen's Coronation in 1953, with top-flight entertainment from RAF and US military bands and singers.

RAF Fairford, located near Swindon on the border of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, opens at 7.30am on Saturday and Sunday July 20 and 21 and the flying displays will be from 10am to 6pm, followed by the prom concert.

Tickets are available in advance at £24.95 or £30 on the day. Children under 16 are free when accompanied by an adult.

Click HERE to buy tickets online.