RAF colleague pays tribute to Spitfire crash pilot

Sqn Ldr Long was due to take over command of the display team in October 2024

The commanding officer of the Spitfire pilot who died in a crash has paid tribute to his "dear friend".

Sqn Ldr Mark Long was killed when the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) plane he was flying crashed in a field in Lincolnshire on 25 May.

Sqn Ldr Mark Sugden thanked the emergency services who were part of the immediate response, and the public for their "overwhelming support, well-wishes and tributes".

The RAF had previously announced Sqn Ldr Long was due to take over command of the display team in October 2024.

Sqn Ldr Mark Sugden said he worked closely with Sqn Ldr Mark Long

The video tribute was posted on the BBMF's social media page on Saturday.

The cause of the crash is not yet known but the Defence Accident Investigation Branch has been examining the site and wreckage.

Sqn Ldr Sugden said: “Words cannot adequately convey the loss of such a dear friend. And I've been overwhelmed by the support well wishes and tributes that the team and I have received, which speaks so eloquently of the remarkable man that Mark was.

“We now start the long journey of recovering from this tragedy I would like to personally thank all of those who were part of the immediate response last Saturday."

He said Sqn Ldr Long had touched so many lives and was close to people's hearts, both in the local community and at RAF Coningsby.

He added: “The emergency services personnel from RAF Coningsby and the wider military community could not have done more for Mark. Our thoughts are with his family of whom he was so devoted and proud.”

He ended by saying that Sqn Ldr Long “personified the very best of the Royal Air Force, the typhoon force and the Battle of Britain Memorial flight and his legacy will live on”.

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