Ron Vears gave a presentation of his 70th birthday present His daughter and son-in-law bought Ron a Battle of Britain Anniversary flight with a Spitfire and Hurricane.
The Spitfire and Hurricane are today still universally admired many years after their key role in the prevention of invasion of our country during WW2.
The turning point was reached on September 15th 1940 – generally known as Battle of Britain day.
I was born on the first anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and naturally I share that affection for these aircraft.
It may be noticed that I celebrated a significant birthday this year, so my daughter and son-in-law wanted to arrange something special for me on this occasion. Although it is almost impossible to arrange a flight in one of the rare two-seater Spitfires, it is possible to arrange a flight with a Spitfire through ‘Action Stations!A4A Ltd’ (www.goactionstations.co.uk).
So on Battle of Britain day I was taken to Pent Farm (Hythe) for helicopter flights over Kent skies where many of the battles took place in 1940. Upon arrival at Pent Farm we were met with the amazing sight of a Spitfire and a Hurricane parked at the end of a grass airstrip, adjacent to a large hanger (helicopters were hidden out of sight to maintain the atmosphere of a WW2 airfield). There was ample opportunity to inspect and photograph the aircraft and chat to the pilots before heading for the helicopter.
During the first 30 minute flight we were closely escorted by the Spitfire and Hurricane, whilst flying to Folkestone, along the white cliffs of Dover as far as the docks and over the channel. The climax of the flight came when the Spitfire performed a very close barrel roll around the helicopter.
The second flight took us to the ‘Battle of Britain Memorial’ on the cliffs above Capel-le-Ferne. Here we set down and spent time looking at the memorial to ‘The Few’ and gazing at the clearly visible French coastal area around Cap Gris Nez. It was then time to board the helicopter for the return flight to Pent Farm where a 1940’s evening was getting underway. Sadly for us it was time to head back home.
These photos and video enable me to share some of this experience with you.
Ron Vears October 2011.
Location of Pent Farm Hostling Kent
Spitfire Mk VB was one of 1000 built at Castle Bromwich against contract B981687/39.
Definitely a Hurricane (thanks Ron)
Spitfire pilot Flt Lt Charlie Brown doing final checks before take off.
As the Spitfire and Hurricane take off, we ‘scramble’ to the
helicopters to rendez-vous in the skies 1000ft above Folkestone.
The Hurricane was the first to appear
Canopy now fully open. Notice the flaps are down.
Once more over land with the Spitfire coming ever closer.
Battle of Britain Memorial above Capel-le-Ferne.
The white paving forms a three-bladed propeller (very impressive from the air
The Few !
The caption between the 8th & 9th pictures should refer to a Hurricane (looks as though the Spitfire caption has been repeated).