Leuchars puts on spectacular show

A SPECTACULAR air show to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain drew in tens of thousands of visitors to RAF Leuchers yesterday.

• Leuchars air show 2010

About 50,000 spectators looked on as more than 100 aircraft flew low over the Fife air base as part of the 11-hour event.

Among the highlights was a fly-by an iconic Spitfire, a Tornado F3 and an advanced Eurofighter Typhoon to mark the past, present and future of the RAF, while Prince Edward took a salute as 6 Squadron Tycoon flew past.

Throughout the day the crowds watched as a de Havilland Vampire, one of the first jet-engine fighters to be introduced by the RAF, and a 1950s Hunter fighter took to the skies, while the last surviving Vulcan bomber appeared for what is rumoured to be its final flight.

But while the action in the air was breathtaking, ground-level events were rather too pedestrian. Attempts to prevent a repeat of the traffic chaos that dogged last year's show failed, and the event was marred by severe congestion. Despite temporary traffic restrictions, including one-way systems, speed limits and the addition of three park-and-ride sites, motorists found themselves stuck in traffic jams lasting for more than four hours. Some gave up and turned for home.

Victoria Aitcheson, said: "After paying 84 to go and over four hours waiting, I decided to turn back. It should have been better planned."

A spokesman for RAF Leuchers said flooding yesterday morning and several road accidents on the main access routes had contributed to delays.