A SPITFIRE is due to fly over parts of North Wales and Cheshire this morning (Monday, April 13) to mark 90-years since the first time the most well-known fighter plane in British history took to the skies.
The two-seat Spitfire painted to represent the original prototype K5054 – first flown in 1936 – will travel from Glasgow’s Prestwick Airport to RAF Valley in Holyhead on Anglesey.
It will then pass along the Welsh coast from RAF Valley to MOD St Athan, taking in West and Mid Wales on Tuesday, April 14.
It is due to fly over North Wales at around 10.50am-11am.
You can track its flight path via https://www.flightradar24.com/GTCHI/3f32a5c3.
The tour of the UK started on Tuesday, April 14 and is taking in locations associated with the UK’s most famous plane.
A spokesman for the RAF said: “A series of commemorative flights will take place across the UK to mark 90 years since the first flight of the Supermarine Spitfire.
“Working with Spitfires.com, the Royal Air Force is supporting a nationwide tour by a two-seat Spitfire painted to represent the original prototype K5054.”
Members of the public were given the opportunity to bid for a seat in the aircraft as it travels between airfields across the UK.
“The aircraft will undertake a series of flights between April 7-17, visiting RAF stations and airports associated with the Spitfire’s history.
“Nine flights will take place, each representing a decade of the aircraft’s service and legacy.”
The first flight was from Southampton International Airport, the very site where Captain Joseph ‘Mutt’ Summers piloted the original Spitfire prototype K5054 on March 5 1936.
The specially painted two-seat Spitfire, replicating the original K5054, was escorted by the Dakota and Spitfire AB910 belonging to the Royal Air Force’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) as it made its way to RAF Coningsby, the home of the BBMF.
During the flight, "K5054" was also joined in the vicinity of RAF Marham by two F35 Lightning II aircraft.
A spokesman for the RAF said: “Through the auction managed by Spitfires.com, over £100,000 has been raised and will be split between the two chosen charities.”
It is believed that the Spitfire will be accompanied by a Hawk T2, a Texan T1 and a Jupiter helicopter towards RAF Valley.
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