'Poignant' funeral for Spitfire crash pilot

A "poignant service" was held for Sqn Ldr Mark Long

A funeral has been held for a Spitfire pilot who was killed when his aircraft crashed near RAF Coningsby last month.

Sqn Ldr Mark Long, of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), died when his Spitfire crashed in a field in Lincolnshire on 25 May.

The service, including a flypast by colleagues, was held at RAF Coningsby, before a private event elsewhere in the county.

The service celebrated Sdn Ldr Long's life and career in a "thoughtful and poignant" way, RAF Coningsby said.

Sqn Ldr Mark Long was an experienced pilot with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Earlier this month, an inquest heard that Sqn Ldr Long died as a result of head and neck injuries and the cause of the crash was not yet known.

The Defence Accident Investigation Branch has been examining the site and wreckage.

Following the funeral, RAF Coningsby paid tribute to Sqn Ldr Long, who had flown with the BBMF for the past four years.

A statement on the station's Facebook page read: "Family, friends and colleagues said a final goodbye to Squadron Leader Mark Long this afternoon at RAF Coningsby.

"His life and career were celebrated in a thoughtful and poignant service, which concluded with a ‘missing man’ flypast by pilots from 29 Squadron."

Gp Capt Robbie Lees, commander of the RAF's Display Air Wing, described Sqn Ldr Long as "a great friend, colleague, and a passionate, professional aviator".

His family said: "Mark lived his life with an unwavering passion, with laughter, love and dedication."

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