A scaled down replica of the Wright Brothers' plane was displayed

The event, which is the biggest privately run air display in Europe, marked 100 years since the Wright Brothers made their first controlled powered flight in 1903.

A scaled down replica of their converted glider sped down the tarmac to celebrate the occasion.

The 2003 show, held on Saturday and Sunday, also marked the 40th anniversary of the air fair itself.

Flying fortress

It was first staged in 1963 by Jock Maitland who is still involved in putting together the flying display.

Among the aircraft that took to the skies was an original 1910 Bleirot which was discovered in a shed and restored by Swedish owner Michael Carlson.

Other aircraft to take part in the fair were the Lancaster bomber, Spitfire and the only flying fortress still airworthy, the Sally B.

Sixty vintage or antique aircraft were invited to mark the centenary to the event, with 40 of them turning up.

Display co-ordinator, Peter Westercott, said: "The flying was superb, the weather has been good and all the aircraft we thought would arrive, have arrived.

"We have had some of the best display pilots in the world here."