AEROPLANE enthusiasts have been out in force to witness some 500 historic aircraft gathering for a Great Vintage Flying Weekend.

Held at the Kemble Airfield, it is the sixth event of its kind and could be the biggest to date.

Terry Booker, operations manager for the event, said: "Given reasonably good weather at Kemble and the departure airfields, this may well be the largest meeting for British-built classics ever held."

Besides displaying some of Britain's oldest and finest aeroplanes, including the wartime Anson, the RAF will be paid tribute to civil veterans.

For hands-on experience, visitors had the chance of a flight in a vintage light airliner.

The flying festival reached a climax yesterday with a spectacular flypast salute by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Spitfire and Hurricane.