Spitfire today: 3 scenic locations to spot a Spitfire and Red Arrows in Yorkshire today
The legendary Spitfire will be flying over the Yorkshire coast today (April 8).
An iconic fighter plane is set to soar through the skies in parts of Yorkshire in the coming hours.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary, the Spitfire is doing a circumnavigation of the country and its latest leg includes some extremely scenic spots in our part of the world. Leeds is not on the route, unfortunately, but if you need an excuse to enjoy the sunshine by the beach, it might be time for a big day out.
Setting off from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, it will be joined by Red Arrows as it flies over the Yorkshire coast. It will cross the Humber before travelling over such scenic locations as Bridlington, Scarborough and Whitby.
The flight is beginning at around 10am and will end at Leuchers in Scotland later in the morning. It is still the Easter holiday for many and taking a trip to the coast could be a great way to entertain the family - especially with 20 degree plus weather.
Posting about the planned route for the Spitfire, RAF Live and Upcoming on Facebook wrote: “Opportunities Throughout April to see the Spitfire with various other RAF Aircraft......
“Starting on the 7th April, Spitfire BS410 will begin 9 flights flying over key historic sites between 9 different airports/RAF bases, also in formation with modern day RAF aircraft to celebrate 90 years since the first Spitfire flight 5th March 1936.”
It adds: “Planned departure time approximately 10am from RAF Coningsby to Leuchars, flying alongside X2 Red Arrows and an Embraer Phenom. Route could change between now and departure due to weather.”
The Facebook page also wrote: “The first flight will depart from Southampton International Airport, formerly Eastleigh Airport and the location of the first flight of the Spitfire in 1936.
“We’ll then circumnavigate Great Britain, flying over key historic Spitfire locations such as:
- Reginald J. Mitchell’s grave
- The site of the original Spitfire factory
- The Needles
- Beachy Head
- The Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel le Ferne
- Martlesham Heath - where much of K5054's further flight testing was done
- RAF Coningsby, the current home of the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial
- and many many more!”
The Spitfire will head down the west coast of the country before ending back in Southampton in more than a week’s time.