Speed, power, glamour, adrenaline, emotion and excitement - Alfa Romeo UK made a big splash with their 'sporty' cars at the Biggin Hill International Air Fair, last weekend.

Biggin Hill - the famous 'Battle of Britain' airfield, a location that has now simply etched itself into the history books of the British Isles, is the location for an annual aircraft extravaganza that draws many visitors, who literally flock to this prestigious event in their tens of thousands. From the historic "warbirds" such as the WWII Spitfire, Hurricane and Mustang, to ultra-modern jet fighters like the brand-new, technologically-advanced Eurofighter Typhoon and super-sleek French Mirage F1, through the "heavies" ranging from the 'old' WWII Boeing B-17G 'Sally B' up to the modern DHL-liveried Boing 757, the hair-raising 'Red Arrows' aeronautical display team, parachute display teams, including the 'RAF Falcons' and the 'Red Devils', military helicopters which literally chopped the hot August air apart, and a swage of statically-presented aircraft, Biggin Hill had it all this year.

Into this swirling cauldron of glamorous aero technology from past and present aptly comes Alfa Romeo. Since 1910 the 'sporty' marque - which proudly bears the coat of arms of its home city, Milan - has itself been as the cutting edge of automotive technology, creating stunning masterpieces of design and engineering, that litter a history which is quite simply unrivalled. Fusing fighter aircraft technology and Alfa Romeo's dazzling road range, on a sunny summer's day, is simply a natural course of action.

The Biggin Hill International Air Fair (held on the 3rd and 4th September) was a glorious affair - as usual - this year. Hot, dry weather greeted the steady stream of visitors. The array of aircraft - both historic and modern - gleamed in the bright conditions, while the Alfa Romeo line-up - all aptly finished in traditional bright red - also shimmered in the sunshine.

"A very productive weekend," was how Alfa Romeo UK's Marketing Manager Roland Ellison summed up the proceedings. "People quite simply connect with our cars when they get to see them in the flesh close-up. We recently drew up a summer and autumn promotional programme that would bring our range into view of people who epitomise Alfa Romeo's core philosophies, individuals who demand quality, style and an active, participatory approach to life," he added, "so far its been a great success.".

BIGGIN HILL INTERNATIONAL AIR FAIR

A six hour aerial spectacular in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe and Japan was the high point of Biggin Hill this year, a fitting tribute to the veterans of World War II, and the aircraft that they flew. The show also marked the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

"Warbirds" on display included a Mk I Hawker Hurricane that has recently been brought back to an airworthy state by Peter Vacher, a skilled aeronautical engineer and husband of the round-the-world aviatrix Polly Vacher.
 

Peter discovered the decaying remains of the Hurricane in a shed on the campus of a university in India, and spent several years dealing with the repatriation, and then in the subsequent rebuild. The aircraft originally saw combat in the Battle of Britain in 1940.

The action-packed programme this year brought more than one hundred aircraft to Biggin Hill Airport for the two-day event. The RAF Aerobatic Team 'The Red Arrows' wowed the crowds on Saturday, among a large contingent of military aircraft that included the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Spitfire and Hurricane fighters, and the evocative Avro Lancaster bomber. The very latest fighter aircraft to come into service with the RAF, the Typhoon, made it's Biggin Hill debut, while The Royal Navy and Army Aviation were also very well represented. Spitfires and Hurricanes evoke the memory of the WWII years of RAF Biggin Hill, an airfield that was consistently in the front line of war, and subjected to more attacks from enemy aircraft than any other station. The show thus featured six Spitfires and three Hurricanes, and one highlight was the re-creation of the famous 'scramble' for pilots to get airborne quickly.

The Hawker Hunter jet fighter was also well represented. In a post war role, Hunter squadrons operated from Biggin Hill until the late 1950's, when it became a civilian airport. European Air Forces were also represented at the Air Fair, by French and Italian jets. The show also brought out some of the country's finest aerobatic pilots to demonstrate their stunning manoeuvres, in particular the Honda Dream Team Sukhoi Su26 flown by Will Curtis. Historic bombers seen in the air included the B17 Fortress 'Sally B' and the B25 Mitchell, famed for the daring Doolittle raid on Tokyo.

On the ground, the static aircraft park saw a parade of over one hundred aircraft lined up for visitors to see at close quarters and have the opportunity to talk to some of the pilots. Entertainment for all the family was provided by simulator rides, re-enactments, and a parade of classic cars as well as a children's circus, while two hundred and eight exhibitor stands, and special areas for veterans and their families to meet and see the show, rounded out Biggin Hill's presentation.

Alfa Romeo UK, Diary - Southport Air Show (10-11 Sep); Royal Berkshire Show, Newbury Racecourse (17-18 Sep); Viva Italia, Earls Court (23-25 Sep); Daily Mail Ski & Snowboard Show, Olympia (12-16 Oct)