AN HISTORIC plane used in the Second World War is returning to the Bournemouth Air Festival for the first time in six years.

The B-17 SallyB Flying Fortress will soar across the Bournemouth sky on August 31.

The American four-engine heavy bomber aircraft was developed in the 1930s and used in the Second World War.

SallyB hasn’t flown along the Dorset coast since 2018 when it last featured at the air festival.

The last remaining B-17 in Europe was delivered to the United States Army Air Force in June 1945, too late to see active service in the war.

There are only six airworthy B-17s left in the world.

A spokesperson for the Bournemouth Air Festival said: “We are delighted to confirm for the first time since 2018, that the magnificent B-17 SallyB Flying Fortress, the last remaining airworthy B-17 in Europe, will be back to grace Bournemouth's skies on the Saturday of the festival.”

The historic plane will join the RAF Typhoon Display team and The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as they fly across the Bournemouth coast in front of thousands of spectators.

The Bournemouth Air Festival takes place between August 29 and 31.