The country’s most famous fighting station is this year celebrating its landmark centenary anniversary.

The Royal Air Force base in Biggin Hill was once famous for playing an instrumental role in the Battle of Britain.

In 1917 the RAF base was formed before becoming entrenched in the Second World War and eventually turning into a civil airport in the 1960s.

A decade later Bromley Council acquired the airport from the RAF.

To commemorate 100 years – a Festival of Flight will take place this August.

This year’s festival will host an exhibition of wartime aircrafts as people can watch historic spitfires and hurricane fighters fly through the sky.

Festival of Flight director, Colin Hitchins, said: “The 100th year of the RAF finds its spiritual home at Biggin Hill, which was Britain’s most famous RAF fighter station during the Second World War. This year’s festival will reflect this alliance, with both classic and modern aircraft on show.

“Every year, the Festival of Flight is dubbed a must-attend event for the summer, and 2018’s lineup has been hotly anticipated given the significance of this commemorative year. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to the airport than ever before this summer.”

You can buy tickets for the festival here www.lbhacommunity.co.uk

On Friday (April 13) veterans on board a 32 Squadron BAe146 landed in Biggin Hill Airport before being welcomed by senior RAF members, air cadets and representatives from Bromley Council.

The RAF baton handover ceremony was another mark of the 100 year anniversary.

The specially designed baton visited Biggin Hill Airport for a 100-day mission to go to 100 places of historical significance.

The journey began at the Royal Courts of Justice on April 1 – 100 years to the day the Royal Air Force formed.

Andy Patsalides, marketing manager, London Biggin Hill Airport, said: “It is fitting that the airport, which played such a crucial role in the Battle of Britain, should take part in honouring the service and sacrifices made by Royal Air Force personnel over the last 100 years.”