YOU couldn't have scripted it. As 94-year-old wingwalker Tom Lackey opened the Bournemouth Air Festival this afternoon, the weather drew in.

See all our pictures from the day here 

Within seconds, the rain came down and visibility dropped to virtually nothing, cutting short his escapade between the piers.

It was an ominous start and the crowds would have been forgiven for thinking that they weren't going to see a lot.

But the weather boffins knew differently, of course, and by the time the mighty Red Arrows roared into town an hour-and-a-half later, the sun was shining and the clouds had all but disappeared.

It meant that the team, due to display on all four days of the event for the first time in its history, were able to put on a full aerobatic display, full of loops, close-quarters passes and spectacular breaks.

Red, white and blue smoke made for spectacular photos and memories for those watching against an increasingly-blue sky.

Earlier, as the conditions improved, the Black Cats helicopter team opened the display schedule proper, for the first time a pairing of a Lynx helicopter and the all-new Wildcat.

Flying at all angles was the order of the day as the Royal Navy helicopters showed their stuff.
Then it was time to see the aircraft that all would-be RAF pilots start out in - the humble Tutor and the Tucano showing off their versatility as training planes.

It was then back to a Royal Navy helicopter - this time the Merlin - as the crowd got a glimpse of its capabilities, including lowering a crewman on a winch above the sea.

By this time the sun looked like it was there to stay and it set the scene for a finale to the first daytime flying of historic proportions.

Kicking off with the unmistakable sound of the solo Spitfire, the crowds were treated to a swooping display before, new this year, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Dakota rumbled into view.

It was a welcome addition, especially in the 70th anniversary year of D-Day, the invasion in which it played such a vital role carrying troops and equipment.

Then it was time to salute more legends of World War Two - the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Lancaster bomber, flanked by two Spitfires, with the Hurricane grounded by technical problems.

As the iconic aircraft glinted against the sea and the sun, the dismal start to the afternoon was a distant memory.