Mitsubishi Motors UK has teamed up with the Royal Navy Historic Flight (RNHF) for the 2006 air display season. Equipped with an all-new Mitsubishi L200 Warrior pick-up, the RNHF team will travel the length and breadth of the UK to entertain around 3 million spectators during the summer months.
Attending around 60 air displays, the RNHF will take part in shows at locations as diverse as Duxford, Lowestoft, Southend, Eastborne, Southport, Sunderland and Clapton. The highlight of the RNHF’s 6 month tour will be their home air display at Yeovilton on 8th July. Here the expected crowd of 40,000 people will witness the first ever race between a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX supercar and a Lynx helicopter.
The RNHF was established in 1972 in order to preserve part of the UK’s naval heritage and be a living memorial to those who served in the Fleet Air Arm. Run by volunteers who are ex-service, the RNHF relies upon charitable contributions and donations from industry. The air shows also form an integral part of the organisation’s fundraising.
On taking delivery of the L200 pick-up, Flight Commander Phil Thornton commented, “This is the perfect vehicle for our needs; it combines the comfort and capacity we need for transporting our people to air shows all around the country, along with the ability to carry all the kit needed to support our aircraft at the shows. Furthermore, it is a pleasure to drive.”
Aiming to maintain Mitsubishi’s domination of the pick-up segment, the new L200 has had a flying start, with 1,500 pre-orders taken before the vehicle had even reached the dealers in early March. The L200 Warrior is expected to be the best selling model and features Super Select 4WD, climate control, 17in alloy wheels, CD player with MP3 compatibility and Mitsubishi Active Stability & Traction Control – a first for the pick-up segment. Prices for the L200 pick-up range start at £12,249 rising to £19,999 CVOTR.
Resources: Mitsubishi L200