Spitfire replica for Armed Forces Day spectacular
Lee Threadgold, from Animated Objects, says the Spitfire replica is one of their "most ambitious" projects
- Published
A life-size replica of one of the most well-known aircraft of World War II will be placed on Scarborough's seafront for this year's Armed Forces Day.
The replica Mk1 Spitfire, due to feature in the event on 28 June, was being constructed to match the dimensions and design of the original, its creators said.
Lee Threadgold, artistic director of arts organisation Animated Objects, said it was "one of the most ambitious projects" they had ever undertaken.
The Spitfire was a "landmark piece of engineering and aviation history" and people recognised "every curve and facet of the aircraft", he said.
"It's our job to ensure we recreate that faithfully for visitors to the Armed Forces Day event in Scarborough," Mr Threadgold explained.
The event, which is hosted by North Yorkshire Council as part of its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, is also expected to feature military bands, a parade and five air displays and flypasts.
Armed Forces Day in Scarborough features military parades, music and flypasts
North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les said Armed Forces Day provided "an opportunity to look back and pay tribute to those who gave their lives to defend the freedoms we all enjoy on a daily basis".
But it also "enables us to show gratitude for the roles our soldiers, sailors and airmen are currently playing around the world to keep people safe", he said.
The RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was expected to form one of the flypasts at the event, featuring a Dakota, Hurricane and Spitfire.
Charles Skiera, director of R5 Air Displays Ltd, said: "That will be particularly poignant in this, the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, with the sounds of the Merlin engines echoing around the South Bay."
In addition, organisers said there would be flypasts by a 1930s Tiger Moth, Rich Goodwin in his jet powered muscle biplane, the Starlings Aerobatics Team and Sqn Ldr Nathan Shawyer, who gained his wings at the former RAF Linton on Ouse, in an RAF Typhoon.
The Armed Forces Day event on 28 June is due to get under way at 11:00 BST with a welcome from the Scarborough Town Crier and is expected to run until 17:00 BST.
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