A FORMER Hurricane and Spitfire pilot from Bampton yesterday watched on as historic planes flew into Oxford Airport.

The planes arrived to celebrate the air show Fly to the Past, which will take place at the airport on August 21.

Molly Rose, 90, was part of the Air Transport Auxiliary during the Second World War.

The group was made up of civilian pilots who were tasked with ferrying aircraft, including Spitfires and Hurricanes, around the UK.

Mrs Rose said: “It is absolutely great to see the planes in the air again.”

Fly to the Past will feature four hours of aerobatic displays, including flyovers from biplanes, Second World War fighter planes and modern jets.

Large television screens will show historic footage of the planes, which will be overlaid with poetry and music to create an audio-visual extravaganza. There will also be static plane and vehicle displays on the ground.

The event previously took place at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock but this year has moved to the Kidlington airport.

The show’s commercial director, David Hurst, said: “By bringing history to life both in the skies and on the ground, Fly to the Past is a unique family day.”

To buy tickets, visit flytothepast.co.uk or call 0844 576 0136.