ATTENTION historic aircraft buffs. If you want to see the historic Battle of Britain Spitfire in action there will be plenty of chances in the next six months.
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The British are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force (RAF), the world’s first such military body, which came about when the Great War took longer to win than authorities in London’s Whitehall had expected.
Lt-Gen Sir David Henderson suggested government boffins combine the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) – a branch of the Army – and the Royal Naval Air Service, into a separate air force. The Glaswegian general had a distinguished career in the army fighting with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in the Zulu and Boer Wars, and the Sudan, before suggesting the amalgamation to Prime Minister David Lloyd George.
Celebrations began last weekend with a flypast of two Spitfires and a Hurricane at the Biggin Hill aerodrome, a major centre for Battle of Britain aircraft. Former RAF airman, 96-year-old Squadron Leader Allan Scott, flew in a specially modified two-seater Spitfire. “The Spitfire is a beautiful aircraft. It fits you like an overcoat,” he said.
On July 10, 100 days after the official RAF 100th birthday, tourists can enjoy a massive parade and flypast in London. To snare a good vantage spot you had better stake it out early. The event concludes with a flypast of about 100 aircraft over Buckingham Palace.
The most famous of the RAF historic aircraft will tour the country. The major dates and venues are: Cardiff (May 17-20), Newcastle in County Down, Northern Ireland (May 17-20), London (July 6-9), Birmingham (August 25-27), Glasgow (August 31-September 2) and Manchester (September 14-16). Also, RAF Duxford, north of London, a site of one of the Imperial War Museums, will host the Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show on September 22 and 23.
