Torbay airshow hit by RAF grounding WW2 aircraft

A wartime Spitfire at Goodwood

Wartime aircraft due to form a major part of this weekend’s English Riviera Airshow in Devon have been grounded after a fatal crash.

Sqn Ldr Mark Long was killed when the Spitfire he was flying crashed in a field in Lincolnshire on Saturday.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) had been due to fly over Torbay on both days of the show, on 1 and 2 June, including a Lancaster bomber alongside Hurricane and Spitfire fighters.

The RAF said it had taken the decision to "temporarily" ground the aircraft while investigations take place.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight includes a Lancaster bomber, as well as Hurricane and Spitfire fighter planes

An RAF spokesman said: “Following the tragic accident at RAF Coningsby, and while the formal investigation is ongoing, the RAF has instigated a temporary pause in flying for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.”

A post to social media from the airshow's event organisers paid tribute to Sqn Ldr Long, as well as the BBMF team and the "extended RAF community".

Confirming the BBMF decision to temporary halt operations, the English Riviera Airshow said the decision was "understandable and anticipated during such sorrowful times".

Bosses added: "With heavy hearts, our team will be looking at options for additional flying assets in the flying programme, and our other aerial displays will go ahead as planned."

The aircraft flown by the BBMF were about 80 years old, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service, but were kept airworthy so they could be flown at airshows around the country every summer.

The Spitfire features on the main publicity poster for the Torbay show, which is underwritten by Torbay Council and supported by local businesses.

There had been fears that last year’s display could be the last, as the Devon council struggled to find the funds to keep it going, but local sponsors stepped up to make sure the show carried on.

Sqn Ldr Mark Long died when the Spitfire he was flying crashed in Lincolnshire

Other attractions on the programme for this weekend’s show include a Catalina flying boat, aerobatic displays and the RAF’s front-line Typhoon fighter.

The Red Arrows are due to close the show on Saturday with a display at about 17:30 BST.

Tributes have been paid to Sqn Ldr Long.

The Prince and Princess of Wales said they are “incredibly sad” at the news, while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it was “awful”.

Group Captain Robbie Lees, commander of the RAF’s Display Air Wing, told the BBC: “Mark was a Typhoon pilot here at RAF Coningsby and for the last four years he has been a pilot with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.”

In a post on Facebook, BBMF officials said their visitor centre would also remain closed until further notice.