Spitfire to take to skies in 'emotional' flights

The Spitfire played a crucial part in the battle for the skies during World War Two

The RAF's legendary Spitfire will be seen flying across Isle of Man skies for three weeks as aviation and military history enthusiasts are invited to enjoy a series of "emotional" flights.

Taking off and landing from the island's airport at Ronaldsway, passenger flights in the famous World War Two fighter planes will be operating seven times a day from 9 June.

The flights have been run from Biggin Hill for the past decade on a commercial basis by Fly a Spitfire, but it will mark the first time the firm has visited the island.

Commercial manager Darren Dray said as well as being a "once-in-a-life-time experience" for those taking part, the flights would offer up a daily spectacle for people on the ground.

He said it was a "beautiful location to be flying from", and the 35-minute journeys would see the aircraft cruise at about 200mph (321km).

"We don't see any reason why we shouldn't be able to go all the way around the entire island, which should be spectacular, and it's also nice that people on the ground can see us as well," he added.

The planes have been converted to two-seater aircraft

The firm will be based at the island's military and Aviation Museum next to the airport, with direct access to the airfield for those taking the flights.

The Spitfire was instrumental in defeating the German Luftwaffe and is credited with turning the tide of the war in the Allies favour after proving superior to the enemy Messerschmitt warplanes in the 1941 Battle of Britain.

Although it has not yet been decided which particular aircraft will be based on the island, all three operated by the firm were originally built in the mid 1940s.

Two have been converted from single-seater to two-seater aircraft, with the third originally a two-seater prototype.

Mr Dray said most of the people who signed up for the flights were "just members of public who've got passion for the aircraft".

The Spitfires being operated were originally built in the mid 1940s

The venture would be "on the tails of the TT" so the firm was hoping to "catch some interest from visitors" as well as locals, he said.

"Obviously we're fans of all things with engines and speed, so that's certainly on our radar," Mr Dray added.

However, the price tag is not for the faint-hearted, with flights costing £4,950.

Mr Dray said: "It's something special to stand next to the aircraft when it's just landed, and it's ticking, it's warm, you can smell it, and it's got some bugs on it.

"It's not a pristine museum exhibit, it's a living thing and it's lovely to be still operating these aircraft all this time later."

The experience could be "quite emotional", he said, with a 103-year-old among some of the customers to take in the experience.

"A lot of people have got family members who talked about seeing Spitfires flying overhead, and we do fly a lot of older customers that have got maybe a first-hand memory, so a lot of people do shed a tear," he said.

"It is a very emotional thing and quite often people do take a little moment afterwards and collect their thoughts.

"But there's definitely a smile that lasts for a long, long time afterwards."