IT WAS the day that saw the veil of secrecy lifted from one of the country’s most top secret defence establishments.

Twenty-five years ago the rigid security that would usually protect Boscombe Down Air Base from the prying eyes of the rest of the world was rolled back for a few hours to allow about 8,000 local people the chance to take up the rare opportunity to see the latest warplanes at close quarters.

Daily Echo: The English Electric Lightning with a top speed of over 1,000mph.

Families of staff, together with friends and neighbours, were welcomed inside for a brief glimpse of what went on behind the heavily guarded perimeter fence, to get a taste of what life was like on the top secret base. There were also pleasure flights in a helicopter and donkey rides too, for those who would rather keep their feet firmly on terra firma.

On show in the vast hangars were working displays, with Gazelles, Wessex, Sea King and Lynx helicopters, along with Hawk, Hunter, Buccaneer, Jet Provost and Jaguar jet aircraft.

Visitors were also able to see the Canberra, Tornado and Falklands War winner the Harrier jump jet.

Visitors were also able to gain some “hands-on” experience with various other aviation hardware such as flying suits, helmets, and ejector seats.

Parked outside the hangars were a Comet and huge Nimrod, packed with submarine-detecting technology and sporting some non-regulation smiley face paintwork on its bulging bodywork.

However, the thrills of the flying programme held most of the attention of the enthralled spectators on the day.

Daily Echo: Nine-year-old Kieran Sheldon tries out the ejector seat under the guiddance of his father, Chief Air Crewman John Sheldon.

The display began with model aircraft and worked its way through nostalgic Second World War planes such as the Mosquito and Dakota, the classic vintage jets the Vampire and Meteor, the elegance and style of aerobatic gliding to the power and speed of Hunter and Lightning fighters.

Two stars of the flying display were the Royal Navy Historic Flight aircraft, consisting of the lumbering Swordfish biplane and the more graceful seafaring version of the Spitfire, the Seafire.

Daily Echo: A Nimrod Mk II with non-regulation paintwork on the wingtips.

The only disappointment of the afternoon – which was held in aid of the Salisbury Hospice Care Trust and Salisbury Cathedral Spire Appeal – was caused by strong winds, which prevented pilots John Spearing and Tony Bolger rounding off the flying programme with the first-ever ascent from Boscombe Down by hot air balloon.