Spitfire anniversary flight set to land in Cornwall

The iconic Supermarine Spitfire is set to take to the skies above Cornwall this week as part of celebrations marking 90 years since its first flight.

A series of commemorative flights is being carried out across the UK to mark the anniversary of the aircraft’s maiden flight on 5 March 1936.

Weather disruption earlier in the week saw one leg of the ‘Spitfire90’ tour called off on Tuesday due to poor conditions across the west of the UK.

If conditions improve, organisers say flights will resume on Wednesday in a bid to bring the schedule back on track.

A flight is expected to depart MOD St Athan at around 10:00 BST on Wednesday, heading to RAF St Mawgan. During the journey, the historic aircraft K5054 is due to fly alongside two QinetiQ Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft.

On Thursday, another flight is planned to leave RAF St Mawgan at around 10:00, travelling on to Exeter Airport. That leg is expected to include a formation with an RAF A400M aircraft.

The UK Ministry of Defence said the milestone “honours the Spitfire’s enduring legacy as a symbol of British resilience and innovation”, particularly its role during the Second World War and the Battle of Britain.

The tour is a collaboration between the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Spitfires.com, and also aims to raise money for charities supporting RAF personnel and people with disabilities.

Organisers say more than £100,000 has already been raised, to be shared between the Mark Long Trust and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

People in Cornwall are being encouraged to look to the skies, with the possibility of catching a glimpse of one of Britain’s most famous aircraft if conditions allow.