Yes, it certainly was a place full of character in the 70s with the old wooden terminal in place, the regular Annual two-day Air Pageant, the smells of newly-cut grass & hot tarmac (not together - even at Blackpool!).
There was indeed, as someone mentioned, a static bomber positioned along the front of the airfield, either a Wellington or a Lancaster, which you could actually board. Highlight of the day was watching the BIA/Air UK Herald/F27 arrive & position alongside the terminal. I think they also originally ran newspaper flights to the IOM early a.m. Also everthing was on 118.4. Just a primitive radar system which was primary only & could track all but one aircraft at once, and which they only used when it was foggy anyway!
As I said, Full of character...!
S
