Organisers of the Isle of Wight’s Armed Forces Day say they simply don’t know whether or not the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be able to attend this year’s event following the tragic death of an RAF pilot earlier this month. Squadron Leader Mark Long died last Saturday when his Spitfire crashed near RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. The incident has led to the grounding of all Battle of Britain planes including the Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancaster Bombers. Since the incident, Islanders have been asking how it affects plans for the local Armed Forces Day event on Sunday 30th June, which is due to be attended by the Flight. Ian Dore, organiser of the Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day, has said:
“First and foremost our thoughts are with Mark’s family, friends, colleagues and extended military family. “Obviously, people are asking the question will it affect the event on the Island? The answer is we don’t know. “Like other events, we still have the BBMF booked but there is nothing further to add at this stage. It’s because of the volume of questions on social media about this, that it had to be addressed. “We are respecting the privacy like everyone else and as soon as we get any relevant information, it will be shared on our website and Facebook page.”
There is a Spitfire that flies over the Solent every now and then. I hope that wasn’t him.
The Spitfires & Hurricanes we see over the Island are usually from private collections flying mostly out of Goodwood & occasionally other south coast locations.
Squadron Leader Mark Long was flying out of RAF Coningsby in Lincoln very unlikely to fly over the Island, Mostly the Spitfires that fly over regularly are 2 seater based at Lee on Solent or Goodwood.
Good Majority of restored Spitfire Fuselages are done at Sandown Airport,
and Some Wing’s but not as many.
With the greatest respect to SL Long, let’s hope this bird is restored to flight again.
No. That Spitfire is based at Lee-on-Solent and does pleasure rides over the Isle of Wight.
It wasn’t.
Possibly.I did hear the spit belongs/belonged to non other than actor Brad Pitt (Bradspit) that he keeps/kept hangered at Tangmere,Sussex following his buying of the fighter while he was in England filming ‘Fury’.
There is a Spitfire that flies over the Solent every now and then. I hope it wasn’t him. (Sorry posted twice)
This happens to me don’t worry
BBMF planes are grounded pending the outcome of investigations as to the cause of the crashed spitfire. Until that happens, no flights. That’s going to take several months for AAIB.. 🙁
Being a Military aircraft it is being investigated by the Defence Accident Investigation Branch, at I think Wittering.So the decision and outcome should be known soon..You`re right the imponderably slow AAIB would take years.
RIP SQUADRON leader Mark Long .
Per Ardua Adastra, stand easy. Fly fast and free as you reach those stars.
Re the BOBF, all are now grounded for a thorough assessment &investigation of the reasons for the going down of the Spitfire.
The pleasure flight Spitfires are privately owned and not militarily
No pilot would want any display cancelled but safety of both pulots and crowds is vitally important but I am sure there will be a huge push to get them all in the air for air displays around thd UK.