Air Cadets from three Squadrons from the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing, along with Squadrons from two the Staffordshire Wing and West Mercian Wing were on Parade at the Birmingham Tattoo at the National Indoor Arena on the 29 th & 30 th of November.

80 cadets plus 12 staff took part in the Muster of the Royal British Legion Standards at the start of the two performances before preparing themselves to march on to the arena floor for the Finale at this great annual show. The whole event takes place in front of an audience of about 10000 people, quite a daunting site as you march out in front of that many people.

The Saturday is a long day with the rehearsals followed by the live performance where the Muster is quite a complicated march-on with the Standards taking part in a cross-over manoeuvre and the cadets marching on, halting, turning to face the Standards for the National Anthem before turning back into line and then marching off the Arena floor, all without a single word of command being given to them.

There isn't time for a rehearsal on the Sunday as it's straight into the live show on the afternoon. This year's performance included the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines and the Band of the Brigade of Gurkha's as well as acts from overseas.

This year the Queen's Colour was marched on from the rear of the Arena Floor, this time with an escort of 80 Air Cadets immediately behind them.

The finale is always a very moving part of the Tattoo, the Massed Bands and the Lone Piper being very prominent along with Sunset being played to a hushed audience.

Once again the Air Training Corps outnumbered the Army Cadet Force and Sea Cadet Corps on Parade for the Finale.

As soon as the Queen's Colour is escorted away from the Arena floor the Cadet unit's counter-march and leave the arena to make way for the Massed Bands to leave. A very good job done by all concerned and enjoyed by the Cadet's and Staff involved.