Spitfires mark 90th anniversary with flight alongside RAF Typhoons

A pair of Spitfires flew alongside Typhoon fighter jets over the south of England as a front-line RAF squadron celebrated the vintage war plane’s 90th anniversary.

The precise hour of the Spitfire’s first flight in 1936 was marked with a ceremonial departure from Southampton airport by a model specially repainted in the livery of the original prototype.

And it was joined by another in an escorted flight over Portland Bill in advance of the Eastbourne Air Show.

“This year marks 90 years since the first flight of the iconic Spitfire, an iconic British fighter at the forefront of UK air power in the Second World War,” said Flt Lt Aidan Rae, of 29 Squadron RAF. 

“Its impact in turning the tide cannot be overstated.

“Fast forward to the modern day, and the Eurofighter Typhoon picks up that mantle, defending the skies 24/7.”

Both the Spitfires saw action in the war, with MK912 flying a series of armed reconnaissance sorties over occupied France in the run-up to and immediately after D-Day. 

It carries its original wartime markings of 312 (Czech) Squadron RAF, including a Czech tri-colour roundel just in front of the cockpit.

Its wartime exploits are also indicated by the black-and-white invasion stripes that were applied to thousands of Allied aircraft as an added recognition device immediately before the invasion of Normandy in June 1944.

After the war, the plane was sold to the Dutch air force, and was used across the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies before being sold into civilian ownership.

Its stablemate for the photoshoot was known as TA805, bearing the code letters FX-M. 

Another Mark IX Spitfire, it was delivered to 183 Squadron RAF in late 1944, seeing active service before being transferred to the South African air force. 

After decades as a static museum exhibit, it was restored to flying condition in 2005.

The Eurofighter Typhoon is the second aircraft in RAF service to bear that name. 

Its predecessor, the Hawker Typhoon, fought alongside Spitfires during the Second World War and was instrumental in defeating Nazi Germany on the battlefields of Normandy.

It played a pivotal role at the Falaise Gap in August 1944, launching thousands of rockets and dropping hundreds of bombs to block the retreating Germans, allowing tens of thousands to be encircled and captured by advancing Allied forces.

[Source: Daily Telegraph]