Southampton, Hampshire, UK. 5th March, 2016. GV at Southampton Airport A flypast to mark the 80th anniversary of the Spitfire's first flight is taking place in Southampton later. The first prototype, K5054, designed by RJ Mitchell, took off from Eastleigh Aerodrome on 5 March 1936. A Spitfire is due to pass Southampton Water and the site of the Supermarine factory in Woolston, where thousands of the World War Two fighters were made. Southampton Airport managing director Dave Lees said the plane "continues to enthral people today”. Credit: uknip/Alamy Live News
Saturday 5th March 2016 GV at Southampton Airport A flypast to mark the 80th anniversary of the Spitfire's first flight is taking place in Southampton later. The first prototype, K5054, designed by RJ Mitchell, took off from Eastleigh Aerodrome on 5 March 1936. A Spitfire is due to pass Southampton Water and the site of the Supermarine factory in Woolston, where thousands of the World War Two fighters were made. Southampton Airport managing director Dave Lees said the plane "continues to enthral people today”. The plane will also pass over Mitchell's grave at Stoneham, before overflying the site of the Woolston factory and onwards to Portsmouth Harbour before flying back on itself to Southampton Airport. During World War Two, with the Spitfire proving critical, the Supermarine factory was targeted by the Luftwaffe to destroy production facilities. Members of the local Air Cadet Squadron are due to perform a guard of honour for the Spitfire as it is wheeled out of the hangar at Southampton Airport, on the same site as the old Eastleigh Aerodrome. ©UKNIP
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