THOUSANDS of people turned their eyes to the heavens when historic planes took flight and swooped and soared through the skies of Oxfordshire.

Aircrafts of all shapes and sizes dating back to the Second World War took to the skies for the 17th annual Abingdon Air and Country Show yesterday.

Abingdon Airfield was filled with thousands of people enjoying the spectacle on a sunny bank holiday Sunday.

As well as the aerial displays, the airfield was filled with planes, helicopters, military transports and tanks for people to look at and even ride.

Matthew Davies and his sons Samuel and six-year-old Louie got up close and personal with a Vickers machine gun on display with the Oxfordshire Home Guard.

Mr Davies, 33 from Abingdon, said his dad used to take him to the show and now he was taking his his own children.

He added: "The kids love the army stuff and the planes - it's just a really good experience for them.

"It's nice to see the old planes in the air. I have always had a love for aircrafts and old memorabilia.

"It's just a nice family day out, a lads day out for me and my sons."

Nine-year-old Samuel, who attends Rush Common School, said it felt great to be able to put on a helmet and uniform and sit behind the gun.

He added: "It made me feel like a soldier, I really want to be in the army now."

The air displays included the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight of a Spitfire and Hurricane over the airfield in memory of the Second World War aircrews.

Vintage helicopters the Westlands Scout and Agusta-Bell 47 Sioux - made famous the film and TV series M.A.S.H - took to the skies for the Army Air Corps Historic Aircraft Flight.

And the world's only Bristol Blenheim bomber performed an aerial display for the awed crowds.

In the main enclosure families could see watch the Thames Valley Police Mounted horse unit, falconry displays, and search and rescue dogs and their handlers.

Around the grounds people could for a ride in a Russian T55 tank, Vickers Armstrong FV432 and Diesel CVRT Scorpion or sit in the cockpits of 1950s Sea Vixen and Hunter fighter jets.

There was also a flight simulator, vintage car collection, jet simulators, a Williams F1 show car, static aircraft display and variety of stalls selling gifts, crafts and food and drink.

A winner on the go karts was Finlay Campbell as he headed along to the show with his family from Upper Rissington, Gloucestershire.

The eight-year-old said: "It was the first time I had been to the show and it was great.

"We got to see lots of aeroplane displays and we saw some helicopters, dancing and ferret racing too."

The event, now in its 17th year was raising vital cash for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance Trust and since 2000 it has raised more than £60,000 for the vital charity.

Show organising committee member Colin Smith said there were an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 guests at the event, although it is not known how much it has raise for the charity.

He added: "It has been going really well indeed.

"We have had a really good crowd and everyone seems to have been enjoying themselves."