Tomorrow the air will be filled with pride and excitement. March 5th 2016 marks the 80th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire.
The Supermarine Spitfire prototype Spitfire K5054 first took to the skies in 1936 from Southampton Airport.
Want to know where you could see the Spitfire 80th anniversary flight on Saturday? Read on.
Here is a brilliant video Vivid demonstration of Britain’s latest aircraft at Eastleigh, by British Pathé, an archive of history on Youtube.
The Spitfire will fly close to the resting place of its Chief Designer Reginald (RJ) Mitchell, before continuing out along the river Itchen to Southampton Water.
It will also pass near to the site of the old Supermarine factory in Woolston, where thousands of the aircraft were built. Then it’ll fly to Portsmouth harbour before flying back on itself to Southampton Airport.
Here is an amazing interview: Iconic Spitfire Takes To The Skies by Forces TV. Former Spitfire pilot Ken Wilkinson reveals his memories of being behind the controls during the Second World War.
For many Spitfire fans out there, let’s share the joy of this magnificent event. If you get to see the Spitfire tomorrow, do write to tell us more.
If you have any story or memory about the Spitfire, share them with us too.
BBC South has a map showing you where you could see the Spitfire 80th anniversary flight on Saturday.
Members of the local 2428 (Hedge End) Air Cadet Squadron will also be present on the day to perform a Guard of Honour for the Spitfire as it is wheeled out of the hangar.
Dave Lees, Managing Director of Southampton Airport states: “Who would have thought that 80 years after the maiden flight from Southampton Airport of Spitfire K5054, this famous aircraft would still be inspiring new businesses and young people. I am sure that R. J. Mitchell, the Chief Designer, would be very proud that the Spitfire continues to enthrall people today.”
Spitfire Pilot on the day
The Spitfire pilot on March 5th will be Matt Jones.
He is the co-owner and Managing Director of Boultbee Flight Academy, the world’s first and only Spitfire training school, as well as the co-founder of Flying with Spitfires alongside Charles Osborne.
Matt Jones, Spitfire Pilot
The Spitfire
Spitfire HF Mk.IX RR232 (G-BRSF), V12 Rolls Royce Merlin 70 ‘high altitude’ engine, Maximum speed: 405mph (652km/h) at 25,400 ft, Maximum power: 1,710hp at 11,000ft, C-type “universal wing” with 32’6″ (9.9m) wingspan, 2 x Hispano cannon.
From Chandler’s Ford to Southampton Airport by Southwest train.
Southampton Airport
To readers unfamiliar with the south, Southampton Airport is actually located in the Borough of Eastleigh.
From Chandler’s Ford, South West Trains runs from Chandler’s Ford to Southampton Airport Parkway. The journey takes 10 minutes.
Southampton Airport is widely considered as the birthplace of the iconic Spitfire aircraft as its maiden flight was from here on 5th March 1936.
Spitfire was originally designed by Reginald Mitchell and built locally in Woolston.
Following this maiden flight, over 22,500 Spitfires were built and went on to defend Britain during historic conflicts such as The Battle of Britain in World War II.
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Solent Sky Museum will also be commemorating the event, and the links to the city of Southampton, with a fly past at Mayflower Park later in the day by 2 Spitfires from Biggin Hill. They are also opening an exhibition on Southampton during the War and the Southampton Blitz.
I believe the museum will open their exhibition at 12:30 on Saturday as they as hosting a reunion of those who were there, Supermariners and locals, and recording their stories.
Eastleigh Borough Council in its recent Enews shared that Solent Sky Museum has arranged for two Spitfires to perform a flypast over Mayflower Park in Southampton at approx 4pm.
I learned of a problem with the Spitfire this week. It was such a light and agile aircraft that, when manoeuvring, the wings flex quite a bit. The guns are fitted out on the wing, a distance from the axis of the body. So, when the wing flexes and twists, the guns point in a different direction.
I read somewhere that an aircraft needed, on average, 22 hits before something vital was damaged. Shooting down the enemy was not easy. The Spitfire was very good at catching up and keeping in touch with enemy aircraft.
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Solent Sky Museum will also be commemorating the event, and the links to the city of Southampton, with a fly past at Mayflower Park later in the day by 2 Spitfires from Biggin Hill. They are also opening an exhibition on Southampton during the War and the Southampton Blitz.
I believe the museum will open their exhibition at 12:30 on Saturday as they as hosting a reunion of those who were there, Supermariners and locals, and recording their stories.
Hi Dave,
Yes indeed. Solent Sky Museum: Albert Road South, Southampton SO14 3FR.
Eastleigh Borough Council in its recent Enews shared that Solent Sky Museum has arranged for two Spitfires to perform a flypast over Mayflower Park in Southampton at approx 4pm.
Solent Sky’s blog on their events can be found at their website Solent Sky Museum.
Via Eastleigh News:
I learned of a problem with the Spitfire this week. It was such a light and agile aircraft that, when manoeuvring, the wings flex quite a bit. The guns are fitted out on the wing, a distance from the axis of the body. So, when the wing flexes and twists, the guns point in a different direction.
I read somewhere that an aircraft needed, on average, 22 hits before something vital was damaged. Shooting down the enemy was not easy. The Spitfire was very good at catching up and keeping in touch with enemy aircraft.
From Southampton Airport: