RECORD breaking numbers attended a fun family day at The Museum of Army Flying’s flagship annual event, Wartime Wallop 2017.

May Bank Holiday Monday saw nearly 1,000 people in the Museum, its grounds and neighbouring airfield with a lunchtime downpour failing to dampen the spirits of the attendees which were up by nearly 20 per cent on last year.

Aircraft, both contemporary and historic, military vehicles, flying displays, 1940s music and dancing, WW2 re-enactment groups and children’s entertainment came together for the family fun day in Middle Wallop on Monday 29 May.

The event featured an opportunity to get up close to current military helicopters, as well as the more veteran aircraft including a Sioux, Beaver and Scout.

Other attractions on the day included model flying, bomb disposal demonstrations, a crowd pleasing fly-out from the HAF (Historic Aircraft Flight) team, as well as 1940s style dancing by the Andover Lindyhoppers, and wartime era music and dancing from the Decibelles.

Attendees included the 4th Dorset’s field office display and K2 lorry, Allied Assortment, WW2 US Army Air Force display, Heartland Express USAAF, the Army Air Corps, Aldhurst Military Vehicles, The Joystick Club, SAM1066 and the Wiltshire Home Guard.

Event organiser, Joe Faretra, said: “This event has been running for a few years now, and it was my first one as organiser, so the pressure was on to get it right.

“Being a dad, and regular attendee of these kinds of days, I found it imperative to offer something for all the members of the family, especially the youngsters.

“The attendance figures were well above what I was expecting, but I won’t rest on my laurels as I look ahead to next year already and seek to expand all the offerings, including more aircraft, exhibitors and entertainment.”

Photos by AWD Photography.