A bid from and aircraft manufacturers could once again see flying machines touch down on a former RAF runway.

Eastern Daily Press: RAF Coltishall Homecoming, 10 March 1991. Picture: Archant LibraryRAF Coltishall Homecoming, 10 March 1991. Picture: Archant Library (Image: EDP Library)

Swift Aircraft, which builds aircrafts, has applied for permission to bring the disused runway at its base on the Scottow Enterprise Park back into action for test flights and deliver.

Eastern Daily Press: The closing ceremony of RAF Colitishall. A Four Jaguars perform a flypast, 2006. Picture: ANTONY KELLYThe closing ceremony of RAF Colitishall. A Four Jaguars perform a flypast, 2006. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: ARCHANT NORFOLK PHOTOGRAPHIC © 2006)

If the bid is successful, it would hark back to the enterprise park's previous existence as the Royal Airforce's Coltishall base.

Eastern Daily Press: RAF Coltishall Families Day, 2005. The last one before the base closed in 2006. Ian Ridley and son Thomas (age 2) watch the show. Ian worked as a Personnel Administrator at RAF Coltishall. Picture: ANTONY KELLYRAF Coltishall Families Day, 2005. The last one before the base closed in 2006. Ian Ridley and son Thomas (age 2) watch the show. Ian worked as a Personnel Administrator at RAF Coltishall. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: ARCHANT NORFOLK PHOTOGRAPHIC © 2005)

Built in 1939 and opening the following years, Coltishall served the RAF for 66 years before closing down in 2006.

Eastern Daily Press: A Spitfire (in the foreground) with its modern counterpart, the Lightning, taking off during the Battle of Britain air display at RAF Coltishall.Picture: Archant LibraryA Spitfire (in the foreground) with its modern counterpart, the Lightning, taking off during the Battle of Britain air display at RAF Coltishall.Picture: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

During this time, the many different impressive crafts used by the RAF became familiar sights and sounds to those living nearby,

Eastern Daily Press: The Queen visits RAF Coltishall as the base celebrates it's 65th year., 2005. Picture: SIMON FINLAYThe Queen visits RAF Coltishall as the base celebrates it's 65th year., 2005. Picture: SIMON FINLAY (Image: Archant © 2005)

Here, we take a nostalgic look back at some of these magnificent flying machines which frequented the base as they protected our country over the decades.

Eastern Daily Press: Aircraft technician working on a Jaguar at RAF Coltishall during its last year of operations, 2005. Picture: BILL SMITHAircraft technician working on a Jaguar at RAF Coltishall during its last year of operations, 2005. Picture: BILL SMITH (Image: Archant © 2005)

We also look at some of the memorable occasions experienced at the base, from Royal visits to reunion celebrations.

Eastern Daily Press: The large crowds at RAF Coltishall's Battle of Britain event, September 1961. There were plenty of interesting static displays of aircraft, including front left Canberra WJ 730, Super Meteor, Fairy Gannet, Pembroke, De Haviland Dove, Handley Page Hastings 334 and on the right is a Vickers Varsity. Picture: Archant LibraryThe large crowds at RAF Coltishall's Battle of Britain event, September 1961. There were plenty of interesting static displays of aircraft, including front left Canberra WJ 730, Super Meteor, Fairy Gannet, Pembroke, De Haviland Dove, Handley Page Hastings 334 and on the right is a Vickers Varsity. Picture: Archant Library

Eastern Daily Press: Bignold school children looking at planes at RAF Coltishall, February 1968. Picture: Archant LibraryBignold school children looking at planes at RAF Coltishall, February 1968. Picture: Archant Library

Eastern Daily Press: Princess Margaret inspects RAF Coltishall station, May 1963. Picture: Archant LibraryPrincess Margaret inspects RAF Coltishall station, May 1963. Picture: Archant Library