Iconic Spitfire begins historic UK tour while adverse weather causes some early disappointment
April 8, 2026
The UK-wide tour of an iconic WW2 Spitfire is finally underway. Marking the 90th anniversary of the legendary type’s first flight in 1936, the aircraft is making nine flights around the UK as part of the commemorations to mark the milestone.
The aircraft will make several stops along the way, where aviation enthusiasts have had the chance to bid online for a seat in the aircraft as it travels between airfields associated with its history.
The flights, organised by Spitfires.com and supported by the Royal Air Force, aim to bring one of Britain’s most iconic aircraft closer to the public, not just as a museum piece, but as a living reminder of the country’s wartime aviation heritage.
Spitfire K5054 completes first flight of commemorative tour
The first flight of the eagerly anticipated commemorative ‘Spitfire90’ tour has been successfully completed.
On 7 April, the restored two-seat Spitfire painted to represent the original prototype (complete with test registration K5054) departed from Southampton International Airport at 12:59 – the very airfield where Captain Joseph ‘Mutt’ Summers piloted the original Spitfire prototype K5054 on 5 March 1936 on its maiden flight.
Having spent one hour and 32 minutes in the air, the aircraft (which has the British civil registration G-TCHI) landed at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, an active RAF base and also home to the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), which is also a Spitfire90 tour partner.
Along its route, the Spitfire was joined by several RAF aircraft as airborne escorts, including a DC-3 Dakota and also Spitfire AB910 belonging to the BBMF as it headed towards Conningsby, along with a pair of active RAF F35 Lightning II combat jets from their base at RAF Marham in Norfolk.
The routing of the first flight saw the Spitfire fly along the British south coast before turning north abeam the city of Brighton. The aircraft flew over Tunbridge Wells and the Hoo Peninsula before crossing the Thames Estuary and flying over Southend Airport (SOU).
Heading over the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk, the aircraft then paired up with the RAF F35’s near King’s Lynn before cruising around The Wash before landing at RAF Coningsby on time at 14:30 local time.
Sadly, the unpredictable UK weather played its part on the first day of the tour, with the turn north over Brighton being enforced due to strong winds and sea fog covering Beachy Head, a chalk headland to the east of Eastbourne and a famous UK coastal landmark.
Spectators who had gathered along the cliff top at the Head were left disappointed as the Spitfire ‘no-showed’, instead being forced to cut the corner and head north over East Sussex and Kent.
Day 2 – the Spitfire heads to Scotland
On 8 April, the second day of the tour and having overnighted at RAF Coningsby, G-TCHI set off at 10:00 for its cross-border flight to RAF Leuchars in Scotland.
Taking advantage of high pressure and fine weather across the northern half of the UK, the aircraft followed the east coast of England before crossing the border and landing at RAF Leuchars at 11:18, just an hour and 18 minutes after taking off.
On this second leg, the aircraft was due to be escorted by two RAF Red Arrows Hawk T1 jets along with a Phenom T1 multi-engine jet trainer aircraft.
Where does the Spitfire90 aircraft head next?
Over the next ten days, Spitfire G-TCHI will continue on its journey around the UK, taking in historic sites and pleasing thousands of well-wishers on its travels.
According to the aviation enthusiast’s website Military Airshows, the aircraft is due to make another seven flights on its tour and will be escorted by several other RAF aircraft along its route.
At the time of writing, the upcoming itinerary of the Spifirfe90 tour includes –
- 9 April (10:00) – RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth, accompanied by an RAF P-3 Poseidon (flight time 55 mins)
- 10 April (10:00) RAF Lossiemouth to Prestwick Airport (PIK) supported by two RAF Typhoons (flight time 1h05)
- 13 April (10:00) Prestwick Airport to RAF Valley supported by two RAF Hawk T2s (flight time 1h10)
- 14 April (10:00) RAF Valley to MOD St Athan, supported by an RAF Texan, followed by a Jupiter HT1 helicopter (flight time 1h00)
- 15 April (10:00) MOD St Athan to RAF St Mawgan, accompanied by two QinetiQ Pilatus PC21s (flight time 1h05).
- 16 April (10:00) RAF St Mawgan to Exeter Airport (EXE) supported by RAF A400M Atlas (flight time 55 minutes)
- 17 April (10:00) Exeter Airport to Southampton Airport, joined by BBMF Dakota (flight time 40 minutes)
Note: All timings/dates remain subject to change due to unforeseen events, aircraft technical requirements and adverse weather events.
Spitfire90 – a charitable event marking the anniversary of a legend
Along with reminding the public about the huge role the Spitfire played in bringing an end to the Second World War, the Spitfire90 tour will also raise funds for two aviation-related charities.
Proceeds from the auctioned flights will support the Mark Long Trust, which offers flying opportunities for disabled people, and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, which provides welfare and financial support to RAF personnel, veterans and their families.
Squadron Leader Mark Long was a highly decorated RAF fast jet pilot who lost his life in 2024 when the BBMF Spitfire he was flying crashed after taking off at an airshow from RAF Coningsby on 25 May 2025. The Trusty that bears his name was set up by his family and the RAF in his honour.
Both organisations reflect a unifying message behind the commemorative flights, which aims to honour the brave airmen and women who flew the Spitfire during its service life, as well as marking the 90th anniversary of the legendary aircraft.
Featured image: Royal Air Force
