Bare-faced cheek of airshow pilots

Pilots will be revealing more than their aviation skills at the weekend when an airshow is staged at Shipdham airfield.

It is the second event to be staged by the Shipdham Flying Club and this year will be in aid of the Bear Faced Cheek charity, supporting the Norfolk and Norwich Breast Cancer Research fund.

Aviation enthusiasts in Norfolk and Suffolk and in other parts of the country have come together to stage the show.

Diane Hammond, wife of Morris Hammond (whose vintage aircraft will form part of the display), has been treated for breast cancer and her treatment has inspired the idea to produce a light-hearted calendar to help raise funds for research into breast cancer.

So 12 pilots were encouraged to get their kit off and reveal all for each month of 2010 with each month page being sponsored by local businesses.

The finished calendar, which sells at �6, will be on show at the airshow on Sunday as well as at airshows up and down the country during 2009.

'With breast cancer affecting a high majority of female sufferers, don't be fooled that it doesn't affect men. They can suffer from it too! We thought it would be fitting to get the boys doing something or 'bear' something for the girls,' explained Diane's daughter, Leah Hammond.

The club's chief flying instructor, Phil Collin said: 'We have all been shocked by just how many people's lives breast cancer touches in one way or another; almost everyone we speak to has either lost a friend or relative to the disease or knows someone who is suffering now or has suffered with it.'

During Sunday's event, which takes off from 10.30am there will be variety of attractions. Displays of aircraft will include a pair of P-51 Mustangs, the Grace Spitfire, Dukes of Cassutt, Harvard and Yak.

Member of the public can join in the event by flying on to the airfield or by car and either way entry is �5.

For more information about Shipdham flying club go to www.shipdhamflyingclub.co.uk