HUNDREDS of static classic aircraft will help transport people back in time for Fly to the Past later this year.

Up to 200 planes, including Tiger Moths, Sopwiths, Gypsy Moths and Tipsy Belfairs, are expected to make up the display.

Show organisers hope it will be the largest ever ground show of classic aircraft in Oxfordshire.

Fly to the Past will take place at Oxford Airport in Kidlington on Saturday, September 1, and Sunday, September 2.

Tony Taylor, who exhibited a 1947 Luscombe 8E Silvaire at last year’s event, found his passion for classic aircraft as a child.

He said: “It started during the Second World War.

“I was a child not far from where they made Spitfires and we spent a lot of time looking at them rather than doing lessons.

“I can still remember in 1943 when a Spitfire dived out of the clouds, came straight towards us and then rolled back up into the clouds.

“To see something like that at that age makes quite an impression.”

The 74-year-old, who lives near Staff-ord, is a retired aircraft engineer and has owned classic planes since 1980.

He said: “It is difficult to put into words, but it is probably the sheer joy of flying these things that I love. It is a privilege to be able to do it.”

Mr Taylor is in the process of selling his Luscombe but hopes to attend Fly to the Past this year anyway.

He said: “It is a superb event and it deserves all the support it can get,” he said.”

Steve Morrell, director of the Chiltern Classic Flight, attended last year’s event with his De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk 22.

He said: “It was a great day. Fly to the Past is a unique event for Oxford and had a good mix of vintage aircraft.

“I can see the event just growing and growing over the next few years.”

The 53-year-old added: “Flying a classic is a totally different experience from flying on a modern American aircraft. It is back to real flying.”

Fly to the Past producer Francis Rockliff said: “What this brings is truly the passion of aviation and flying from the ordinary man who owns these aircraft.

“These people treasure and restore these relics of aviation and perilously still fly them.

“These are aircraft that flew in our parents’ and grandparents’ time and they will help unpack the envelop of emotions. It will be an emotional return to history.”

He added: “We have something like 200 aircraft flying in to display on the ground. It will be the biggest ground show in Oxfordshire.”

Fly to the Past will feature flyovers charting the history of aviation, from simple biplanes to fighters from both world wars and modern-day jets.

  • Oxford Mail readers can get exclusive two-for-one Fly to the Past tickets for just £30 by visiting oxfordmail.co.uk/flytothepast