Flying with a Spitfire!

A FLIGHT with a World War 2, Supermarine Spitfire is not an everyday experience, but Peter Holbrook of Fearnhead Lane, Warrington has fulfilled his dream of doing just that.
He travelled to Lydd in Kent, which had been at the centre of intensive aerial fighting during the Battle of Britain in 1940.
The aim was to fly in a helicopter alongside the Spitfire in order to take photographs, along the iconic white cliffs between Folkestone and Dover.
Said Peter: “Cruising along the cliff tops, it was easy to think back to the long, hot summer of 1940, flying in the very airspace in which the battle was fought. However, instead of looking out for danger, it was possible to take in the stunning views of the white cliffs, Dover Castle and the Kent countryside”.
Meeting a Spitfire in flight was a thrilling experience for Peter, whose late father Jack served in the RAF during World War 2.
The experience was arranged via event company, Action Stations, who donate part of the income generated to the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, the charity which looks after the National Memorial to “the few” at nearby Capel-Le-Ferne.
Coincidentally, the Spitfire being flown had a connection with Warrington.
It was one of 1,000 built at Castle Bromwich and was delivered to NO 37 MU at Burtonwood in February 1942. The aircraft subsequently flew with two Polish RAF squadrons, initially based at Woodvale, near Liverpool.
After the flight, Peter was able to make a detailed examination of the Spitfire on the ground, while in conversation with the pilot, Charlie Brown, a serving RAF officer and flying instructor based at Cranwell. Charlie is one of the most experienced Spitfire pilots in the world – a job to make any aircraft enthusiast green with envy!