Spitfire stages fly-past at Fawley Armed Forces Day

The plane's eagerly-anticipated appearance at Fawley Armed Forces Day was one of the highlights of the show, which attracted hundreds of spectators.

Helen Bradley, who helped organise the show, said: "It was absolutely stunning. It came in low and everyone got a really good look."

Vehicles on show at the event included a 1943 NAAFI Wagon that appeared in the 1979 film Yanks, starring Richard Gere (Image: Newsquest.)

Spitfires became a symbol of Britain's pride and power during the Second World War.

The famous fighter aircraft played a key role in the Battle of Britain, Hitler's failed attempt to destroy the RAF and pave the way for a Nazi invasion.

After the Vickers Supermarine factories at Itchen and Woolston were bombed in 1940 production was hastily switched to other buildings in and around Southampton.

This year's Fawley Armed Forces Day incorporated the Fawley Show, which has previously been held on land beside All Saints Church.

The NAAFI Wagon is owned by David Piper, 59, of Bishopstoke, who said it was derelict when he bought it six years ago (Image: Newsquest.)

One of the most eye-catching vehicles at the event was familiar to fans of the 1968 film The Love Bug and its 1974 sequel, Herbie Rides Again.

The Herbie-lookalike is owned by Jamie and Kelly Lowe, who transformed an ordinary Volkswagen Beetle in time for their wedding at Careys Manor, Brockenhurst, in 2006.

Jamie, 43, said: "My wife has always liked Herbie. The vehicle was originally black and white so we repainted it, added all the numbers and stripes, and made it movie-accurate.

"It's a feel-good car that gets a really good reaction wherever it goes."

The Waterside Christmas Fire Engine takes Santa on a tour of villages. Last year the volunteers raised £7,500 for local charities (Image: Newsquest.)

One of the military vehicles on display was a 1943 NAAFI Wagon, a mobile canteen that saw service in London during the war.

The vehicle appeared in Yanks, starring Richard Gere. Set during the build-up to the D-Day landings in 1944, the film had its world premiere in Bournemouth in 1979.

Owner David Piper, 59, of Bishopstoke, said the vehicle was derelict when he bought it six years ago.

He said: "Its top speed is 40mph and it only does nine miles to the gallon, so it's not fast and it costs a bit to get there."

A vintage fuel tanker was among the vehicles on show at the event, which incorporated the Fawley Show (Image: Newsquest.)

Other exhibits included the Waterside Christmas Fire Engine, which takes Santa on a tour of villages in the Hythe area during the festive season. Last year the volunteers raised £7,500 for local charities.

A 1930 Super Sentinel steam wagon took families on rides around part of the showground at Gang Warily Recreation Centre.