Heavy Rains Hinder F-35B Aircraft Demo At Farnborough Airshow

The Lockheed Martin-made F-35B Lightning II aircraft’s much awaited public appearance at the Farnborough airshow 2016 had to be cancelled due to heavy downpour at the venue on Monday.

The entire show day was abruptly cancelled just before 3 p.m. local time Monday after flooding in the show's exhibit halls was determined to present a safety hazard for attendees.

"Due to the heavy rain, unfortunately we have cancelled today's flying display and closed the show early," staff wrote on the show's official Twitter account. "Safety remains our key priority."

The F-35B aircraft had been set to conduct a much-anticipated demonstration of its hover capabilities at 2:30 p.m., just before the downpour started, Military Today reported.

However, the fifth-generation fighter conducted a fly-by in formation with the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows Aerobatic team of BAE Systems Hawks at 10:30 a.m., shortly after the show opened.

While the aircraft is not touching down at the show, it will fly in from Fairford Airfield for daily hover demonstrations at 2:30 p.m., Marine Corps spokeswoman Capt. Sarah Burns said.