New details revealed for military flypast over Sheffield to mark Mi Amigo tragedy

All 10 crew on board the badly damaged B-17 Flying Fortress, known as Mi Amigo, were killed when it plummeted from the skies and crashed into Endcliffe Park in 1944.

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It is believed the crew was attempting to make an emergency landing on the field in the park, but upon witnessing Tony Foulds and his friends on the grass, diverted and crashed into a nearby wooded area, saving the children's lives.

The story of how Tony has dealt with deep-seated guilt over the crash and spent several decades tending to the memorial to the brave crew has captured the hearts of the nation in recent weeks.

The 82-year-old grandfather-of-four, from Lowedges, successfully campaigned for a flypast to mark 75 years since the crash and military aircraft will roar over the skies of the city on Friday, February 22.

Sheffield City Council has now released specific details about what will happen on the day.

Members of the public are advised to arrive at the park from 7.15am and the best place to see the flypast will be on the big field.

The BBC will be broadcasting live from around 6am to 9.15am and there will be a big screen up close to the cafe.

A memorial service will take place from around 8am with a bugler playing one verse of Amazing Grace.

There will also be a reading from St John’s Gospel by a representative of the Royal British Legion and a bugler will then play the Last Post and Reveille.

The flypast is set to follow at 8.45am.

The flypast is dependent on weather conditions and mission requirements, but the United States Air Force ad Royal Air Force is anticipating using a unique variety of aircraft from bases at RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Coningsby.

It is believed these aircraft will include an F-15 fighter jet, plus Ospreys, Typhoons and a Dakota.

Due to air space regulations, these aircraft will not fly in one combined formation together but it still promises to be an impressive display of air power.

Buses for Sheffield and Stagecoach Supertram are offering free travel for armed forces personnel and veterans.

Eligible customers are urged to show a current forces ID card or wear a HM Armed Forces Veterans badge to get free travel on the day.

The council has also set up a dedicated website for flypast information at http://bit.ly/flypastsheffield

In addition, the authority has pledged to use the hashtags #turnupfortony and #sheffieldflypast on Twitter to keep people informed in the lead up to the event.

Councillor Mary Lea, cabinet member for culture, parks and leisure, said: “This is going to be a truly memorable day in Sheffield’s history and we are looking forward to welcoming our friends from the US to pay tribute to this remarkable crew who gave their lives so bravely during the Second World War.

“Sheffield owes the Mi Amigo crew a huge debt of gratitude for their sacrifice 75 years ago. We have honoured their memory for all these years and this flypast will be a fitting tribute. It’s also a tribute to Tony who has tended the memorial for all these years.”

Tim Taylor, director of customer services at South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, added: “The flypast will be a fantastic tribute.”