A DEAFENING roar filled people's eardrums as the Red Arrows arced over HMS Ocean, leaving a red and white vapour trail and a smell of aviation fuel that lingered in the nostrils.

Underneath was one flag that displayed the badge of the city's football team and another that said 'Nice One Sunderland'.

It seemed a fitting tribute from the crew who were watching Europe's biggest free airshow from the Royal Navy's biggest warship.

Nine Hawks flew in diamond formation, breathtakingly close at supersonic speeds, painting the skies above Sunderland red, white and blue.

They peeled off and buzzed the ship, to the delight of the thousands of people watching from shore, although from the flight deck it was a bit more daunting to see a jet heading straight towards you.

At the last second, the pilot lifted the plane's nose and went into a barrel roll across the ship in a salute before disappearing into the clouds.

It was the perfect way to round off an impressive display of aviation expertise by teams of pilots at the top of their profession.

Some of the descents were stomach-churning; rapid and spinning, before pulling up to avoid plunging into the sea.

There were the long, low flypasts along the beach for the spectators, and the blatant display of might, skill and daring to the ship's company as part of a good-natured inter-force rivalry.

"They're just showing off," said some sailors.

Other crafts were more graceful and circled the ship and beach before slowly performing death-defying stunts.

The day showcased some of the most impressive crafts in the Royal Air Force.

The Jaguar pilot did two close salutes to the ship and spun before performing more aerobatics such as the long high arc that inverted the craft as he looped the loop.

A few more effortless rolls that must have been disorientating, then the afterburners kicked in, off he went at the speed of sound.

The crowd were also treated to a magical display from Tornados, F16s, Harrier Jump Jets, Sea King helicopters, Nimrods, Honda Sukhois, Fouge Magisters, Grat Follands and a US B-52 bomber.

Each pilot brought a new carefully choreographed act that created an atmosphere of excitement as the grey skies were given a splash of colour.

The tranquillity of the sea was taken over by the roar of the jets and the smell was that of burnt aviation fuel.

Hats off to those magnificent men in their flying machines.