Will the weather hold for commemorative Spitfire flight to take off on time in Hampshire today?
Spitfire enthusiasts in Hampshire will have their eyes on the sky this afternoon as the first leg of a commemorative flight around the UK is set to take off.
However, there are a number of variables which could see its departure delayed, including the weather. While clear skies and temperatures of 12 degrees and 12 miles per hour wind at Southampton shouldn’t affect the take-off time there has been a change of plan with the route. Headwinds mean it will no longer reach Beachy Head, Eastbourne today.
Weather is not the only factor that could cause a delay with the logistics of meeting up mid flight with other RAF aircrafts a potential issue.
Today’s journey is the first of nine flights taking place to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the first flight of the Supermarine Spitfire which took off from Hampshire.
It was on March 5, 1936 that test pilot Joseph 'Mutt' Summers flew prototype K5054 from what is now Southampton Airport. The flight lasted around eight minutes and after landing Summers is reported to have said: “Don’t change a thing.” The aircraft would go on to become one of the most recognised fighters of the Second World War and an enduring symbol of British aviation.
The first leg will pass over historic locations such as the grave of the designer of the Supermarine Spitfire Reginald J. Mitchell in Southampton and The Needles, before heading along the coast across to Sussex, Kent, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Lincolnshire.
For each leg of the journey around the UK, a seat has been auctioned online with funds raised going to the Mark Long Trust and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. The first leg of the journey was sold at auction for £25,001 with winner getting to join the pilot for today’s flight.
More information on the commemorative flights can be found on the spitfires Facebook page or at spitfires.com