OLD Sarum Air Show at the weekend exceeded expectations.

More than 5,000 visitors attended to see a wonderful display of historic aircraft.

On the Saturday afternoon, four Druine Turbulents went through hoops, literally, before heading off into the sunset.

The Great War Combat Team made you realise just how hazardous it must have been to put your trust in these planes.

Lauren Richardson made some heart-stopping aerobatic moves in her Pitts Special. As the commentator said: “Good manoeuvres, well flown.”

Sally B, the B17 Fortress bomber, is perhaps as wellknown for her role in the film Memphis Belle as for her aviation feats. The B17 was used in the precision strategic bombing campaign of World War II and complemented the RAFBomber Command’s nighttime area bombing in the Combined Bomber Offensive.

On missions, she was often accompanied by the diminutive, in comparison, P51 Mustang, one of which was also at Old Sarum — they flew together which was quite an emotional sight, especially as it was accompanied by the music of a certain Mr Glenn Miller.

The star of the day was to have been the delta wing bomber, the Vulcan. So it was with a heavy heart that the organisers told us a fuel leak had rendered it unable to fly. An audible sigh went round the crowd — as it did, apparently, at Goodwood and in Sussex, where it had also been due to appear.

But it was a tragedy, given the fact that it was to have been the great plane’s last flight ever. So, barring miracles, we are unlikely to see her again.

The show was a great success, except for three catering outlets who let the organisers down badly by not turning up.

Well done, Old Sarum — you put on a damn fine show