Where and when specially-painted Spitfire will fly across Scotland as part of historic 90th anniversary tour
Watch as the BBMF reveals some of the aircraft which will be taking part in the 90th anniversary of the Spitfire event.
A Spitfire will embark on a tour of the UK in April to mark the 90th anniversary of its first flight.
On 5 March 1936, Captain Joseph ‘Mutt’ Summers piloted the first Supermarine Spitfire prototype, K5054, from Eastleigh Aerodrome, what is now Southampton International Airport. After just eight minutes in the air, he famously declared, “Don’t change a thing.”
The two-seat Spitfire, painted to replicate the original K5054 prototype, will fly across Scotland for parts of the tour.
Starting on Tuesday 7 April, nine flights are scheduled to commemorate 90 years of the Spitfire, with the event totalling approximately 15 flying hours.
For the first flight, the Spitfire will take off from Southampton International Airport, the site of its first-ever flight. During each flight, the Spitfire will visit historic locations across the UK that are connected to its legacy. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), which operates five Spitfires of its own, will join ‘K5054’ in the air during the first commemorative flight before escorting it to its first landing location at RAF Coningsby, the home of the BBMF.
Throughout the remaining commemorative flights, modern Royal Air Force assets will also join the Spitfire prior to the aircraft’s arrival at each subsequent landing location.
The event will raise funds for two important charities: the Mark Long Trust, which supports disabled individuals in aviation, and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, which provides vital assistance to serving and former RAF personnel and their families.
Scotland landing locations
The Spitfire will arrive at RAF Leuchars in Fife on 8 April. It will fly from RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth in Moray on 9 April. On 10 April, the Spitfire will fly from RAF Lossiemouth to Glasgow Prestwick Airport. The Spitfire will leave Glasgow Prestwick Airport for RAF Valley on 13 April.
Full flight schedule
7 April - Southampton Airport to RAF Coningsby
8 April - RAF Coningsby to RAF Leuchars
9 April - RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth
10 April - RAF Lossiemouth to Glasgow Prestwick Airport
13 April - Glasgow Prestwick Airport to RAF Valley
14 April - RAF Valley to MOD St Athan
15 April - MOD St Athan to RAF St Mawgan
16 April - RAF St Mawgan to Exeter Airport
17 April - Exeter Airport to Southampton Airport
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