THE skies above RAF Woodvale buzzed and roared over the weekend as the airfield’s 37th annual rally drew crowds of 50,000.

Remote controlled model planes performed aerobatic displays, while around 1,500 vintage, classic and thoroughbred cars were on display on the ground.

The Woodvale Rally is organised by the 1st Southport Scouts, with the Liverpool and District Model Aircraft Society (LDMAS) putting on the remote controlled aircraft display.

Gordon Jackson, Southport cubs’ Kaa and a spokesperson for the rally, said: “It’s been great. There was a lot of excitement surrounding a limited edition Ferrari – one of around 13 which were made.

“There was something for the steam enthusiasts, too, with an engine from the Ribble Steam Society.”

All proceeds from the show go to LDMAS, the Scouts and to charities.

Around 150 model planes, including scale versions of Spitfires and Lancaster bombers, a 17ft jet engined Vulcan and a half-scale Pitts Challenger flew in the day-long spectacular.

At 5pm, the two Lancasters performed a pyrotechnic show with £1,000 “bouncing bombs” blowing up a pretend dam.

Andy Johnson, LDMAS committee member and flight plan director for the display, said the pilots – who came from as far as Bristol, Edinburgh and London – have to sit an hour-long test in front of an examiner to get a pilot’s licence.

Their planes, because they weigh more than 20kg, have to meet the same Civil Aviation Authority standards as passenger planes.

Mr Johnson, shouting over the roar of one aircraft’s 190cc engine being warmed up, added: “We’re not talking about toys here. As far as the CAA is concerned, these are real aircraft. If one of those goes into the crowd, it could do damage,” said Mr Johnson, who owns nearly 70 model planes, including a Eurofighter.

Two Rolls Royce Merlin engines were also on show to delight the crowds.

Vintage car and motorcycle enthusiasts entered more than 450 vehicles to be judged in the rally.

More than 1,000 classic cars from 70 car clubs – including 80 Porsches – went to the rally.

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