A legendary Spitfire is set to pass over parts of Somerset today (Thursday, April 16th) as it takes to the skies for a special nationwide flight marking the 90th anniversary of the aircraft’s first-ever flight.
The iconic aircraft is scheduled to depart MOD St Athan at 10am before flying over Cardiff and Bristol, then sweeping south across Somerset on its way to Newquay.
The route – shown here – and the timings remain subject to weather conditions.
During today’s commemorative leg, the historic Spitfire K5054 will fly in formation for an extended period with two QinetiQ Pilatus PC-21 trainers, offering a rare sight for aviation enthusiasts. The full flight is expected to last around one hour and five minutes.
Organisers say the anniversary tour celebrates the Spitfire’s enduring place in British history.
“This milestone event honours the Spitfire’s enduring legacy as a symbol of British resilience and innovation, particularly its pivotal role during the Second World War and the Battle of Britain,” a spokesperson said.
The Spitfire90 tour will see the aircraft visit several historic RAF locations linked to its development and wartime service, with modern RAF aircraft joining at various stages to highlight the evolution of British air power.
The collaboration between the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Spitfires.com also aims to raise awareness of the ongoing work to preserve and fly these iconic machines. Spitfires.com offers the public the chance to experience flights in authentic two-seat Spitfires and provides simulator training used annually by the BBMF.
Over nine days, the Spitfire90 tour will cover approximately 15 flying hours, taking in Leuchars Airfield, RAF Lossiemouth, Prestwick, RAF Valley, MOD St Athan, RAF St Mawgan (Newquay), Exeter, and finally Southampton.
