THE hypnotic, deep-throated fanfare of noise bounces and rolls off the valley sides announcing its arrival ...

I'm talking a very serious flying machine here: an aeroplane of legend and a once forceful protector of our nation that still serves as uplifting, if spine-tingling, reminder of the Second World War.

There was something really awe-inspiring when the giant snub nosed Lancaster bomber arrived as a marker for The Yanks are back In Saddleworth weekend.

The City of Lincoln should have been accompanied by a Spitfire and Hurricane on her two planned flyovers but mixed weather meant the historic flying machine was limited to a single solo Saturday visit.

However, the hundreds who thronged Uppermill and the hillsides were rewarded with remarkable photo opportunities as the bomber made low level sweeps set against a peerless blue sky.

Now in its 17th year, Yanks claims to be the North’s longest running WW2 Military and Living History event but, social media said, the number of re-enactors were down on last year with organisers issuing a rallying call for them to become more involved next year.

Neverthless, Saturday’s sunshine still drew large crowds determined over one memorable weekend to immerse themselves in the nostalgia of wartime Britain.

The film Yanks, which starred Richard Gere and Vanessa Redgrave, was released in 1979 and gave worldwide cinema audiences a real life glimpse of Saddleworth, albeit for only a few tantalising minutes.

But we were all here 40 years later, swept along in the heady rewind of life in the war years dressed in authentic wartime military uniforms and 1940s glad-rags.

American Jeeps, giant military lorries and half tracks rolled through the streets.

Visitors where lured to the impressive militaria and vintage indoor and outdoor stalls, and military vehicle encampment at Saddleworth School, main base for the event operations.

And there were oodles of dances too with a vintage reproduction fashion show, plus boogie woogie and swing music generating hot sounds getting everyone’s feet tapping.

On Sunday, despite sullen skies, crowds lined Uppermill High Street to wave, clap and cheer as a convoy of military vehicles.

This year’s parade was led by the remainder of the Stockport Normandy veterans, alongside the Oldham British Legion veterans with money raised donated to the Bury Veterans’ Association.

The Mayor of Oldham, Cllr. Javid greeted the vanguard of forces and column of military hardware with Cllr Robert Knotts, chair of Saddleworth Parish Council, his wife Lesley and Sharman Birtles, deputy Lord Lieutenant (pictured).

Meanwhile, in Dobcross where some of the action in the original film took place, villagers took the high ground with unique novel twists to capture the true war time spirit.

The industrious Dobcross Village Community and coffee pot Team backed by Dobcross Band Club committee and Dobcross Silver swing band set the seal on a pageant of nostalgic delights.

For example, the 175 guests were each presented with a specially stencilled ration box containing a spam or jam sandwich, a fairy cake, a Kit Kat (launched in 1938), crisps and a clever memento of miniature ration book showing a wartime weekly diet (see picture).

And The Bailey Dolls, performing a range of wartime favourites at the sell-out gig with the band with a smattering of military vehicles in the club’s car park.

In the evening, the epic film directed by John Schlesinger, was shown at the club and with dancing linked to wartime favourites.