Organisers of the Old Buckenham Airshow have expressed their delight as more aircraft "than ever before" took to the skies this weekend.

The event at Old Buckenham Airfield, near Attleborough, showcased a wide variety of aircraft on Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1 including Red Sparrows, the RAF Typhoon and the Spitfire Mk1.

Diss Mercury: The Spitfire Mk1 at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe Spitfire Mk1 at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Around 8,000 people attended the two-day event, which has more aircraft than ever before, with 39 and a half in total - the half being a micro version of the aerobatic superstar Extra.

After the disappointment of having to cancel the event in 2020, organiser Matt Wilkins expressed his delight in seeing the planes take to the skies and spectators in the grounds once again.

Diss Mercury: Large crowds of spectators enjoy the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYLarge crowds of spectators enjoy the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

He said the weather "played ball" and that people were very happy to be there.

He added: "For most people it's been the first show they've been to since the beginning of the pandemic.

"It's absolutely wonderful, bearing in mind up until not that many weeks ago I was contemplating whether the best thing to do was just cancel.

Diss Mercury: The best viewing seat at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe best viewing seat at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

"I'm delighted we've been able to put it on, with precautions in place. People have been very respectful from what I've seen. It's just great, it's pretty much back to the good ol' days."

Organisers had to adapt in order to hold the event, which meant limiting admissions and holding almost all other activities outdoors.

Diss Mercury: Matt Wilkins, aerodrome manager at Old Buckenham AirfieldMatt Wilkins, aerodrome manager at Old Buckenham Airfield (Image: Archant © 2013)

Mr Wilkins added: "I did rearrange it a couple of times, it was not an easy one."

Diss Mercury: Military vehicles on display at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYMilitary vehicles on display at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

He said his highlights from the weekend included the only B-17 Flying Fortress in Europe Sally B, and a "dog fight" race between a P-51 mustang and its 'German enemy' Buchon Bf109.

Mr Wilkins said: "We were able to fly all of the display acts. Everything flew including the Typhoon, it was an absolutely full display.

"It's been a record breaking weekend for us.

"It's tremendous to be able to put on the event especially after a long period of time when there was total uncertainty. Six weeks ago it was hanging in the balance and to have pulled it off in this style is tremendous."

The show was ended with Sally-B followed by Spitfire MH434, which Mr Wilkins said was a "very emotional" moment for everyone.

He added: "I think we can probably lay claim in this most unusual of years of having been one of the top 10 airshows in the UK in 2021."

The livestream for Saturday can be found here:

And for Sunday here:

There were reports of long delays on roads around the show.

Mr Wilkins said there had been a crash earlier in the day which had created problems.

Diss Mercury: The Typhoon files at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe Typhoon files at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Diss Mercury: The Matadors display at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe Matadors display at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Diss Mercury: The Matadors display at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe Matadors display at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Diss Mercury: The Matadors display at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe Matadors display at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Diss Mercury: The Typhoon files at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe Typhoon files at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Diss Mercury: Large crowds of spectators enjoy the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYLarge crowds of spectators enjoy the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Diss Mercury: Lucky Eva Kenyon gets to fly an RAF Red Arrow at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYLucky Eva Kenyon gets to fly an RAF Red Arrow at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Diss Mercury: Jacob Maxam, 10, gets a good view of the aircraft from a 1940 Daimler Dingo scout car on display at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYJacob Maxam, 10, gets a good view of the aircraft from a 1940 Daimler Dingo scout car on display at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Diss Mercury: Nine-year-olds Aisling Fielding and Harry Mundy, enjoy the air display at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYNine-year-olds Aisling Fielding and Harry Mundy, enjoy the air display at the Old Buckenham Air Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Diss Mercury: Old Buckenham Airshow. Picture: Kyle BatleyOld Buckenham Airshow. Picture: Kyle Batley (Image: Kyle Batley)

Diss Mercury: Old Buckenham Airshow. Picture: Kyle BatleyOld Buckenham Airshow. Picture: Kyle Batley (Image: Kyle Batley)

Diss Mercury: Old Buckenham Airshow. Picture: Kyle BatleyOld Buckenham Airshow. Picture: Kyle Batley (Image: Kyle Batley)

Diss Mercury: Old Buckenham Airshow. Picture: Kyle BatleyOld Buckenham Airshow. Picture: Kyle Batley (Image: Kyle Batley)