In pictures: Flypast remembering Battle of Britain

Squadron Leader Tony Pickering survived being shot down by a German fighter during the war

Thousands of lucky spectators were treated to a spectacle of the skies when more than a dozen Spitfires and handful of Hurricanes carried out a flypast to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain's "Hardest Day".

The "Hardest Day" flypast included a large number of Hurricanes

The weather may have been chilly and overcast but it did not lessen the dazzling impact of more than 20 vintage aircraft flying in three formations over London and the south-east coast.

The event at Biggin Hill in south-east London marked 75 years since 18 August 1940, when British and German pilots engaged in the hardest fought day of the Battle of Britain.

Flying Officer Gerry Abrahams said it was a real thrill to see so many Spitfires in one place

After taking off just after 13:00 BST, the iconic fighters circled London and then flew to the battle's official memorial at Capel-le-Ferne near the White Cliffs of Dover.

'Incredible'

On their return they wowed the crowds with multiple flypasts of the airfield - banking, climbing, diving and weaving as they went.

Kevin Wilford and his grandson Peter were delighted to see so many World War Two aircraft in one place

Dozens of veterans of the Battle of Britain and other World War Two servicemen and women were also invited to take part in the commemoration.

Mark Stefanicki dressed as a Polish pilot as part of a group of official re-enactors

Flying Officer Gerry Abrahams, who flew Lancaster bombers over Germany during the war, said the event was a fantastic opportunity to see a huge number of Spitfires and Hurricanes in one place.

"It's never happened since the war it's incredible."

He and the other veterans were given a VIP view of the display, a sit-down lunch and dozens of requests from members of the public asking them to accept a handshake to thank them for their service.

Spectators were allowed to get up close to the vintage aircraft after the flypast

Once the Hurricanes and Spitfires were finally back on the ground, the spectators were given the opportunity walk among the aircraft.

'Back in time'

Kevin Wilford, of Caterham, Surrey, said he had brought his grandson Peter to the event because "you'll never get the opportunity to see this many Spitfires again".

The Spitfires seemed to be the crowds' favourite

"It's been fantastic, seeing them flying all round, all over the place was like a trip back in time.

"I've been to airshows before but it's not like this," he added.

More than a dozen Spitfires took to the skies over London and the South East

Eight-year-old Peter said: "I enjoyed it when they all came round in their groups and did a huge display."

And it was not just the aircraft that were on show at Biggin Hill today.

A mock fighter pilot scramble was staged before the aircraft took off

There were nearly a dozen vintage vehicles and more than 30 people dressed in period wartime uniforms and civilian clothes to help transport people back to the summer of 1940.

And some of the men dressed as World War Two pilots also carried out a mock fighter pilot scramble to the crowds' delight.