RAIN, low clouds and rain marred Saturday, September 15, 1956, but still a record total of 1.3 million people in Britain made to the 44 RAF stations' ‘at homes’ events to mark Battle of Britain Day. The figure was an increase of 24,100 on the previous year.

Here and there, however, the weather did manage to interfere with the flying programme. Much of the fly-past at the Bishopbriggs RAF station took place in heavy rain and mist; still, between 7,000 and 8,000 people enjoyed the low-flying display by two Prestwick Pioneers - an “entirely Scottish-designed and -built plane,” noted the Glasgow Herald.

The twin-engined version of the Prestwick Pioneer also made its way to Edinburgh and the RAF station at Turnhouse (above). There, a crowd estimated at 32,000 saw aerobatic and other displays by jet aircraft, including four Hunters from No.43 Squadron, and the Pioneer. Despite being on the “secret list”, a Valiant bomber was among the planes on a static display. It was scheduled to take off and fly past but, probably to the disappointment of several hundred spectators, it remained on the ground.

Further north, at the RAF station at Kinloss, Morayshire, the Scottish Secretary of State, James Stuart, and his wife, Lady Rachel Stuart, joined a crowd of 15,000 spectators at the Battle of Britain anniversary air display there.