THE skies will be filled with vintage aircraft this weekend when an Essex airfield opens to the public.Last year, the two-day event at Boxted Airfield in Langham, near Colchester, attracted more than 3,000 people, and this year organisers are expecting more.

THE skies will be filled with vintage aircraft this weekend when an Essex airfield opens to the public.

Last year, the two-day event at Boxted Airfield in Langham, near Colchester, attracted more than 3,000 people, and this year organisers are expecting more.

Richard Turner, chairman of the airfield's historical society, which is organising the event, said: “It would be nice if we could get 5,000 people across the weekend. We're hoping that we'll get up to 100 planes to join us.”

The theme for the weekend is “the RAF at Boxted”, and there will be a flying display on both days featuring appearances from a Spitfire and a Harvard, both former RAF planes.

A team of Chipmunk planes, named the Red Sparrows, will be putting on a formation show and there will be a wide range of activities available.

A children's fun day, a licensed bar and catering will all be found on site, and a marquee will host a 1940s big band evening on Saturday night for an extra charge.

Last month the organisers appealed for former airmen who were based at the Essex site between 1945 and 1946 to join in the celebration, and it seems the appeal had some success.

Five ex-servicemen, including two from America, will be attending the festivities and revisiting the site as special guests.

Information about the weekend activities can be found at www.boxted-airfield.com, or by contacting Mr Turner on 01206 865275.