Attendees were also treated to a number of flypasts by Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft (Lancaster and Spitfire below) and the Red Arrows.

A total of seventeen cockpits were exhibited over the course of the weekend along with a number of very impressive and fascinating 'interiors'. These included displays of instrument panels, ejection seats, survival equipment etc. and were shown off inside the new hangar to great effect. The aeroboot that usually accompanies Cockpitfest was this year expanded to run over the whole weekend rather than just the Saturday. This seems to have been a popular change and, hopefully, the arrangement will continue for subsequent events.

The 'interiors' section of Cockpitfest is an area which has grown over the five years of the event and is now a distinct and valuable feature. It is an area that the organisers of Cockpitfest are keen to see grow in future years as it provides displays which are accessible to all visitors and provides a perfect accompaniment to the full cockpits.

Plans are already being made for Cockpitfest 2005 and a tribute to the Hawker Hunter, which entered RAF service 50 years ago this year, will hopefully see most of the major marks of Hunter represented. So, Hunter cockpit owners, we hope to see you at NAM next year for a fitting tribute to what designer Sir Sydney Camm called "my most beautiful aeroplane"!

Presented here is a photo-review of Cockpitfest 2004 showing the visiting cockpits and a selection of the 'interiors' displays. Click the links below for the required section.