An iconic second world war biplane which was refurbished in Stockport recently took to the skies again.

Incredible pictures captured Friday (11 Aug) show the Navy Wings Swordfish Warbird airplane, W5856, as it participated in the annual RAF Valley Families Day.

RAF Valley on the Welsh island of Anglesey is home to No 4 Flying Training School, responsible for training the UK's next generation of world-class fighter pilots.

W5856 is the oldest surviving airworthy Fairey Swordfish in the world. The aircraft first flew on Trafalgar Day (21 October) 1941 and was a "Blackfish", built by Blackburn Aircraft at Sherburn-in-Elmet and delivered to 82 MU (Lichfield) on 20 October 1941 for overseas transport to Gibraltar.

W5856 served with the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet for a year. Little is known of it's role while on active Service in the Mediterranean, but it is likely W5856 was based at North Front, Gibraltar, carrying out patrols over the Straits.

It was then returned to Fairey's Stockport factory for refurbishment during winter 1942/43.

The Swordfish was photographed from a Cessna Caravan in the skies above RAF Valley.

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