A SPITFIRE fighter plane flyover will be among the highlights of this year's Westcountry WARAG when it returns to Middlezoy Aerodrome later this month.

The WARAG event was successfully held at the aerodrome near Westonzoyland, just outside Bridgwater, in 2018 and 2019 before there was a fallow year in 2020. 

It was held again last year with a unique celebration of life on the former airfield during its operational era. 

This year's WARAG will be held on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29 between 10am and 5pm with a focus on “military armour and vehicles on the move”.

Bridgwater Mercury: Derek Rayment and Reuben Symonds at last year's Westcountry WARAG. Picture: Steve RichardsonDerek Rayment and Reuben Symonds at last year's Westcountry WARAG. Picture: Steve Richardson

Enthusiasts will have the chance to learn more about the airfield's history from the 1920s through illustrated talks and a marquee exhibition. 

There will also be an exhibition of the Westonzoyland Aviation Museum.

Alongside the attractions and static displays of vintage aircraft, there will be a bar, food wagons, and refreshments on-site throughout the event.

The weather-dependent Spitfire flyover is due to take place at 3pm on the Saturday.

Bridgwater Mercury: Mike Smith, Austin Woodland, and Darren Mitchell with a classic military vehicle at last year's event. Picture: Steve RichardsonMike Smith, Austin Woodland, and Darren Mitchell with a classic military vehicle at last year's event. Picture: Steve Richardson

Robbert Turner, who helps organise the event, said: “Thankfully, we are able to run our previously successful event which attracts so much historic armour it looks like we are amassing for a film shoot.

“I have managed to treble the archive of the old RAF Westonzoyland with many pictures and stories of over fifty years in what is one of the country's oldest airfields.

“It commenced operations in the early twenties with the first caretaker taking up residence in 1922.

Bridgwater Mercury: The poster for this year's Westcountry WARAG.The poster for this year's Westcountry WARAG.

“I have just made a welcome connection with a local whose grandfather took many of the early images with his photographic team.

“His archive started with the airships of WW1 and ended at the aftermath of D-Day in Normandy. 

“He was once the chief photographer on Croydon Airfield which became our first international airport.

“Worthy of the Imperial War Museum, but ours.

“We have taken this part of the airfield back to its origins with a hangar full of older aircraft.”

Tickets will cost £10 for adults and £5 for concessions (veterans or senior citizens).

Accompanied children under the age of 16 can enter for free.