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It has been more than six decades, that they went last airborne through the Indian air space. Here, I am referring to the old hat and almost every pilots favorite – The Supermarine Spitfire, the British origin single-seat fighter aircraft which was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries before, during and after World War II.
The Spitfire was built in many variants, using several wing configurations, and was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft. It was also the only British fighter to be in continuous production throughout the war.
Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight, is a world-first project which presented the aircraft in its beautiful ?bare metal? state to highlight the beauty of the Spitfire?s timeless design, drawing attention to the unique and famous shape of the air-frame.
The Silver Spitfire, which is on its historic world tour is a Mk.IX variant finished in polished aluminum with the guns removed. By ?de-militarizing? the aircraft in that manner it was aimed to highlight the timeless beauty of its design. With a plane that is less provocative than one adorned with camouflage paint, it hoped to broaden the appeal and reach of its project and gain easier access to nations en route.
?Spitfires are great airplanes, especially for its era. It was a war icon feared by the enemy fighters. It would be be a real pleasure flying one of them in these times? says,?Wng Cdr Amit Ranjan Giri (Veteran), Indian Air Force.?
The expedition is the brainchild of British pilots Matt Jones and Steve Brooks. They located a long-lost Spitfire aircraft and were restoring it into a shining silver aircraft. Starting in summer 2019, they want to bring this aircraft to a global audience in a flight around the world, which will cover approximately 27,000 miles and nearly 29 countries with a stopover at 100 different locations.
The aircraft entered Indian air space on 02 Nov, 19 at Kolkata and landed at Air Force Station Sonegaon Nagpur on 04 Nov, 19. Following the halt, the pilots of aircraft Steve Brook and Matt Jones were welcomed by Gp Capt SK Tiwari, Station Commander, Air Force Station Sonegaon.
The pilots on their arrival interacted with Station key personnel and shared their valuable experiences on their first ever historical trip in this iconic single engine aircraft. Embarking the expedition from England in August, the pilots plan to weave a pattern through countries in which Spitfire had flown during World War-II.
Whilst talking about the expedition,?British pilot Matt Jones?said, ?The decision to fly the Silver Spitfire around the world was an instinctive one to honor the plane?s rich history, the people who built, maintained and flew it through more than 50 missions, and we want to commemorate those who lost their lives in the pursuit of freedom. It?s exciting to bring the Spitfire back to many of the places it has served and to fly it for audiences who will see this beautiful and historic machine for the very first time?
Nearly 62 years after the last of them took to the skies in India, the unmistakable sight and sound of Spitfire is once again gracing the Indian skies with an aim to inspire future generations.
The writer is a Delhi-based independent contributor to print and online publications
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