AVIATION addicts were treated to a thrilling display of vintage aircraft at Bentwaters, near Woodbridge.

AVIATION addicts were treated to a thrilling display of vintage aircraft at Bentwaters, near Woodbridge.

The Cold War Museum open day saw flybys from a spectacular spitfire, three magnificent mustangs and the US Air-force's Fairchild PT-19 Cornell training plane.

Military vehicles and classic cars lined the runways at the former American air-base, which is the only one of its kind open to the public in the UK.

The event was so popular compared to last year's inaugural open day that four overflow car parks were required to fit everyone in.

Graham Haynes, chair of the aviation society and manager of the Cold War Museum, was delighted by the turn-out. "It has been a success beyond our wildest dreams," he said.

"We have had a much bigger flying display this year and hopefully it will become an annual event.

"We recreated in the museum what it was like when the Americans were here by setting up a fully restored operation room and displaying exhibitions that chart the history of the base."

The event was the first in the country to involved both a mother-son and father-daughter flying team. Carolin Grace flew with son Richard in their Spitfire while Maurice Hammond and daughter Leah showed off their Auster 5.

The museum is open on the first and third Sunday of every month and every bank holiday until the end of October. For more information visit www.bcwm.org.uk