Many turn out to watch 'The Few' at RAF Kenley Air Day
EYES were fixed firmly on the sky as a festival of flight was staged at Saturday's RAF Kenley Air Day.
More than 20,000 people braved heavy rain at the event, held on Kenley Common, with some queuing for almost an hour to get in.
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READY FOR TAKE OFF: Croydon Airport Model Club had a host of miniature planes on display Photo: CRPM20100814A-006_C by Paul Martyniuk
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FACING THE ELEMENTS: Despite heavy rainfall almost 20,000 people attended the Air Day Photo: CRPM20100814A-015_C by Paul Martyniuk
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TAKE OFF: A model plane leaves the common Photo: CRPM20100814A-026_C by Paul Martyniuk
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OLD FAVOURITE: A Miles M38 Messenger 4B
Photo: CRPM20100814A-037_C by Paul Martyniuk
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DOWNPOUR: Crowds were soaked but stuck around to watch the displays
Photo: CRPM20100814A-094_C by Paul Martyniuk
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ENGROSSED: Rhys shoots his bubble gun Photo: CRPM20100814A-089_C by Paul Martyniuk
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ALL SYSTEMS GO: A pilot prepares for take off
Photo: CRPM20100814A-140_C by Paul Martyniuk
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HELP AT HAND: Hundreds of volunteers took part in the day
Photo: CRPM20100814A-151_C by Paul Martyniuk
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FUN FOR ALL: Rhys Thomas, 4, enjoys an inflatable slide, which was among the activities for children at the Air Day Photo: CRPM20100814A-120_C by Paul Martyniuk
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HERE WE COME: A plane comes in to land
Photo: CRPM20100814A-148_C by Paul Martyniuk
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QUITE A SIGHT: Despite Spitfire and Hurricane displays being called off there was plenty to keep plane enthusiasts happy Photo: CRPM20100814A-143_C by Paul Martyniuk
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PROPELLED AWAY: One of the many planes which took to the sky Photo: CRPM20100814A-134_C by Paul Martyniuk
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FUN OF THE FAIR: There were rides for those who wanted to brave them in the rain
Photo: CRPM20100814A-105_C by Paul Martyniuk
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FULL OF HOT AIR: A giant balloon prepares to take off from Kenley Common
Photo: CRPM20100814A-002_C by Paul Martyniuk
Many were looking forward to seeing fighter planes, however both the Spitfire and Hurricane displays were called off because of the weather.
Despite this, spectators were not short of entertainment as they got to watch RAF planes and light aircraft soaring overhead, as well as a daredevil wing-walking display.
The annual event took on extra significance as this year it was also commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Kenley resident Chris Parker said it had been an "amazing day".
He added: "It has been very sobering to think of those pilots flying these aircraft from Kenley airfield (during the Second World War) all those years ago.
"You can't do much about the weather but we still enjoyed watching the flights, under cover."
Barbara Furlonger, from Selsdon, agreed that it had been a "fantastic" show.
She said: "It is a pity about the rain but we still had an excellent time.
"I definitely think they should do this more because they have such a great space up here."
Organiser Chris Baguley, chairman of Kenley Airfield Friends Group, was proud of the turnout.
He said: "It's lovely to see so many people enjoying themselves.
"We have had people from the RAF who were here coming up to us and praising us for putting on such a good day."
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