Yeovilton's air day draws the crowds

The day was a celebration of the Royal Navy

Thousands of spectators gathered for RNAS Yeovilton's 2003 Air Day on Saturday, marking a centenary of powered flight.

Opened by The Duke of York, the show was a chance for many pilots fresh from service in the Gulf, to fly for fun.

The day was set up to pay tribute to the personnel and aircraft of the Royal Navy, with old and new planes both flying and on display.

One onlooker told the BBC: "The best was seeing the Harriers, just hanging in the air. It was very impressive."

Iraq war

RNAS Yeovilton is home to Navall Sea Harriers, Sea King Mark 4 Commando, Lynx and Gazelle Helicopters.

It also houses more historic aircraft, like the Swordfish, which were on display on Saturday.

Personnel from the base were heavily involved in the recent war in Iraq.

Two squadrons flew out from the base, supporting 3 Commando in the south of Iraq.

In one of the first coalition actions of the war, they dropped 40 Royal Marines at night to help secure the oil installations on the Al Faw peninsula.