Blue sky, fluffy white clouds and a light breeze brought perfect weather conditions for the annual Vintage Aircraft Club ‘Daffodil’ Fly-in, held at the Fenland Aero Club airfield at Holbeach St John’s on Saturday.

Wisbech Standard: Vintage day of flying at Holbeach St James for Fenland Aero Club, Picture; ALISTAIR GOODRUMVintage day of flying at Holbeach St James for Fenland Aero Club, Picture; ALISTAIR GOODRUM (Image: Archant)

Blue sky, fluffy white clouds and a light breeze brought perfect weather conditions for the annual Vintage Aircraft Club ‘Daffodil’ Fly-in, held at the Fenland Aero Club airfield at Holbeach St John’s on Saturday.

Between 10 am and 3.30 pm, the packed gallery of spectators was kept well-entertained by the arrival of 98 visiting aeroplanes of all shapes, sizes and age.

Pride of place undoubtedly went to the classic twin-engine Beech 18, G-BKGL, flown in from Leicester. Built in 1952 it was greatly admired by all, with some of the more fortunate even being given a peek inside the spacious cabin, before it gave a stirring, low-level flypast as it set off for home.

Hot on the heels of the Beech, though, must come the splendid all-black, Lithuanian-registered, Yakolev Yak-18T, a four-seater former Soviet trainer built in 1981. Cessnas and Pipers; Austers and Jodels; De Havilland Chipmunks and Rollason Condors all and more, were there.

Wisbech Standard: Vintage day of flying at Holbeach St James for Fenland Aero Club, Rollason D62 Condor Picture; ALISTAIR GOODRUMVintage day of flying at Holbeach St James for Fenland Aero Club, Rollason D62 Condor Picture; ALISTAIR GOODRUM (Image: Archant)

But mention must be given to the fly-by of the afternoon by a replica Fokker Dr1 Triplane, resplendent in the blood red colour of the famous ‘Red Baron’ zooming with its guns stuttering as it flashed past the clubhouse.

It was indeed a memorable vintage day’s flying, with the control tower, ground marshalling and clubhouse catering teams all working flat out to make it a great success.

Wisbech Standard: Vintage day of flying at Holbeach St James for Fenland Aero Club, Picture; ALISTAIR GOODRUMVintage day of flying at Holbeach St James for Fenland Aero Club, Picture; ALISTAIR GOODRUM (Image: Archant)

Wisbech Standard: Vintage day of flying at Holbeach St James for Fenland Aero Club, Picture; ALISTAIR GOODRUMVintage day of flying at Holbeach St James for Fenland Aero Club, Picture; ALISTAIR GOODRUM (Image: Archant)

Wisbech Standard: Vintage day of flying at Holbeach St James for Fenland Aero Club, Beech-18 Picture; ALISTAIR GOODRUMVintage day of flying at Holbeach St James for Fenland Aero Club, Beech-18 Picture; ALISTAIR GOODRUM (Image: Archant)