Old Buckenham Air Show beats the storms

For more pictures from the event, see this week's Diss Express

“Challenging” was the understated description of conditions for fliers at the Old Buckenham Air Show.

It was the only show in the country to beat the storms on Sunday, said director Matt Wilkins.

“Fortunately, the crowd here is very loyal and so are the pilots,” said Mr Wilkins.

“Those who stayed on despite the weather saw some of the best flying you will ever see. The pilots who went up were astonishingly good.

“The conditions high up were quite dreadful, and especially so when you are flying upside down.

“I have never had so many compliments after a show as I did on Monday morning.”

Mr Wilkins had his own challenge of organising a “fluid” programme in conditions so adverse that Duxford, base to planes including the Sally B Flying Fortress, was closed to flying until late on Sunday afternoon. Given the weather there was no prospect of a record-breaking crowd, but Mr Wilkins said there was still a combined audience of 12,000.

Before the show ended Mr Wilkins was receiving reservations from trade stands and exhibitors for next year. In view of the growing Saturday audience, future shows will offer the same number of flying displays for both days for the same price.