Spitfire completes flypast over Southampton (From Daily Echo)
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Spitfire completes flypast over Southampton
11:59am Saturday 5th March 2011 in Campaign News
SEVENTY-FIVE years after the first time it happened, the Spitfire has once again taken to the air over Southampton.
A hush descended on Southampton Airport as the historic plane prepared to take to the skies.
The iconic Spitfire dipped its wings over the county that designed and created it.
The fighter plane that came to represent Britain’s bulldog spirit in World War II was watched in awe by thousands. The crowds had gathered in Mayflower park, to witness the historic flypast .
It marked the 75th anniversary of the aircraft’s maiden flight and was made by the word only female Spitfire pilot Carolyn Grace. She told the Daily Echo; “The Spitfire is incredibly special because of its wartime achievements and because of the way it looks and flies. It is an honours to be involved in such an historic event, especially here in Southampton where its story started.”
As the plane landed back at Southampton Airport, it was like a shot from an old war film. The pilot and passenger shaking hands after climbing out of the iconic fighter plane.
They could have been returning from a sortie over enemy skies.
Crowds braved icy winds to cheer in the restored aircraft.
Nick Hancock, winning Spitfire memorial designer, was the lucky passenger in the fighter as it soared over the skies of Southampton.
He said: "I got the fly it going over Southampton Water. It was the most amazing experience of my life. I can't stop smiling it was absolutely fantastic."
Today also marks the official launch of fundraising efforts for the city’s Spitfire Memorial.
Prime Minister David Cameron has already pledged his support to the campaign, which aims to raise £2m.
He said: “Few sights conjure up more nostalgia and pride than the silhouette of a Spitfire against the sky.
“It’s a sight that stands for courage, for resilience, for freedom and for British ingenuity.
“That’s why I am delighted at plans to erect a huge and prominent tribute to the Spitfire – and to all who designed, built, maintained and flew them.
“This is going to be one of the first things people will see as they enter Britain and through its size and its symbolism it should create a powerful first impression.
“I wish your fundraising efforts every success – and look forward to seeing the tribute in Southampton in the years to come.”
The Spitfire was designed by the legendary R J Mitchell, who lived and worked in Southampton.
It was built at the Southampton Supermarine factories and at 28 other sites across the Hampshire area after the original buildings were destroyed in bombing raids.
The Spitfire played a vital role in the Battle of Britain, which foiled Nazi Germany’s plan to invade the UK.
• Don't forget there is a voucher in today's Daily Echo for a free commemorative poster of the the flypast. Don't miss your copy.
Comments(33)
Soton Skater
says...
1:12pm Sat 5 Mar 11
drakey
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1:46pm Sat 5 Mar 11
leeroyh
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2:05pm Sat 5 Mar 11
derek james
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3:29pm Sat 5 Mar 11
Condor Man
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3:30pm Sat 5 Mar 11
vag
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4:37pm Sat 5 Mar 11
Stupideditor
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4:44pm Sat 5 Mar 11
Sage50
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5:12pm Sat 5 Mar 11
OceanViews
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5:18pm Sat 5 Mar 11
Ant Smoking MP
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5:52pm Sat 5 Mar 11
soton1980
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6:56pm Sat 5 Mar 11
Sholing 4 ever
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7:46pm Sat 5 Mar 11
J.P.M
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8:51pm Sat 5 Mar 11
WWN
andy_fozzy
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9:57pm Sat 5 Mar 11
www.andy-foster.co.u
k
Scrutinizer
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10:17pm Sat 5 Mar 11
J.P.M wrote:Silly and ignorant comment by a certain little noisy J.P.M, Campus, about a wonderful and historically important aircraft...YAWWN... Code words = 'nice-fact, yes so true!
Little noisy aeroplane flies over Southampton......YAW WWN
Poppy22
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10:56pm Sat 5 Mar 11
Quite Frankly
says...
12:05am Sun 6 Mar 11
He said: “Few sights conjure up more nostalgia and pride than the silhouette of a Spitfire against the sky.
“It’s a sight that stands for courage, for resilience, for freedom and for British ingenuity.
“That’s why I am delighted at plans to erect a huge and prominent tribute to the Spitfire – and to all who designed, built, maintained and flew them.
“This is going to be one of the first things people will see as they enter Britain and through its size and its symbolism it should create a powerful first impression.
“I wish your fundraising efforts every success – and look forward to seeing the tribute in Southampton in the years to come.”
Insincerity off the scale.
OSPREYSAINT
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12:51am Sun 6 Mar 11
J.P.M wrote:Are you for real or just a deliberately ignorant WUM?
Little noisy aeroplane flies over Southampton......YAW WWN
J.P.M
says...
11:21am Sun 6 Mar 11
OSPREYSAINT wrote:Just wondering why we celebrate the demise of a little plane?
J.P.M wrote: Little noisy aeroplane flies over Southampton......YAW WWNAre you for real or just a deliberately ignorant WUM?
Using the same britlogic history analysis, shouldn't we celebrate the ammunition factory at Eyewash in the new forest, where we made all those bullets to shoot the people of India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Ceylon??
Or is it just the killing that we did on our own soil that carries pride?
OSPREYSAINT
says...
11:49am Sun 6 Mar 11
J.P.M wrote:What on earth are you wittering on about, we are celebrating the creation of a flying machine that helped to defeat Nazi tyranny. Nothing to do with present day politics apart from the fact that we are still free to be here. Bury your head in the pacifist sand if you like, but there is lot of real evil out there in the real world that needs to be addressed by free thinking peace loving humans.
OSPREYSAINT wrote:Just wondering why we celebrate the demise of a little plane? Using the same britlogic history analysis, shouldn't we celebrate the ammunition factory at Eyewash in the new forest, where we made all those bullets to shoot the people of India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Ceylon?? Or is it just the killing that we did on our own soil that carries pride?J.P.M wrote: Little noisy aeroplane flies over Southampton......YAW WWNAre you for real or just a deliberately ignorant WUM?
J.P.M
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1:07pm Sun 6 Mar 11
Thanks osprey, my point exactly.
The tyranical british empire killed and plundered for 200 years all over the world - in the countries I mentioned above - and more. That is all forgotten now.
Similarly, the war with our friends in Germany should be forgotten, not celebrated. This is now a multi-cultural country, and all that old bulldog stuff is confined to the national front.
We don't like it when the Irish celebrate kicking us out - do we?
freemantlegirl2
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1:39pm Sun 6 Mar 11
J.P.M wrote:oh shut up and let the rest of us celebrate will you - honestly, talk about nit-picking waste of space..
"Nothing to do with present day politics"
Thanks osprey, my point exactly.
The tyranical british empire killed and plundered for 200 years all over the world - in the countries I mentioned above - and more. That is all forgotten now.
Similarly, the war with our friends in Germany should be forgotten, not celebrated. This is now a multi-cultural country, and all that old bulldog stuff is confined to the national front.
We don't like it when the Irish celebrate kicking us out - do we?
If you don't like it no-one's forcing you to watch it!!
A great moment in history, we are here today and this plane is a symbol of our freedom and celebrating Southampton's involvement.
X Old Bill
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3:45pm Sun 6 Mar 11
If you can, just try to ignore the fact that this aircraft was used as a machine of war. Indeed, the World beating Supermarine seaplane upon which the airframe and engine was based was not a weapon of war, it was built purely to race.
Just think of it as two pieces of British engineering design and construction which were brought together and gave us, and the world, an aircraft which was at the cutting edge of technology at the time and remained in service well into the age of jet propelled aircraft.
If World War II had not happened it would still have been a great little aircraft.
CharlieK
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4:33pm Sun 6 Mar 11
vag
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5:04pm Sun 6 Mar 11
Rocker268
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5:48pm Sun 6 Mar 11
http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Operation_S
ea_Lion#Planned_occu
pation_of_Britain
Yes, the British Empire was far from perfect and the death of anyone is tragic, but without the Spitfire the world would arguably be a much more terrifying place. And it is that which was celebrated yesterday.
snapperdownunder
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8:18pm Sun 6 Mar 11
Brilliant!
OSPREYSAINT
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10:13pm Sun 6 Mar 11
J.P.M wrote:Another mindless rant completely missing the point completely, "our friends the Germans?" Forgotten? The second World War caused anything up to 60 million deaths, how can it be forgotten? 6 million Jews were victims of genocide. Had we have not defeated the Nazis, we would have been wiped out as well, in all probability.
"Nothing to do with present day politics" Thanks osprey, my point exactly. The tyranical british empire killed and plundered for 200 years all over the world - in the countries I mentioned above - and more. That is all forgotten now. Similarly, the war with our friends in Germany should be forgotten, not celebrated. This is now a multi-cultural country, and all that old bulldog stuff is confined to the national front. We don't like it when the Irish celebrate kicking us out - do we?
Tyranical British Empire! You are on the wrong planet my friend. When did the Irish "kick us out?" (of where?). Did you support the IRA attrocities? I still don't believe you can be so naive and I reckon you are just stirring it up or you are just one totally misguided individual, in which case you are welcome to your views, but are ploughing a lonely furrow in the field of life.
OSPREYSAINT
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10:28pm Sun 6 Mar 11
skipwitts
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6:06pm Mon 7 Mar 11
Under the most pressing of circumstances it triumphed.
.
The 75th anniversary fly-past
carried the passenger Nick Hancock as “winner” of last year’s flawed
competition to design a Tribute for the Spitfire, organised by the Spitfire Tribute Foundation and supported by the Southern Daily Echo.
.
The finalists don’t understand the result, and neither do a good many people who want to see this represent all that is fair, honest and worth fighting for.
.
The BBC have investigated this and their programme can be seen by viewing YouTube
. www.youtube.com/vide
o/NbJOufYMdLc
.
Martin Witts
Spitfire Competition Finalist
X Old Bill
says...
7:14pm Mon 7 Mar 11
skipwitts wrote:A point or two not abundantly clear from Jon Cuthill's report;
The Spitfire is without any doubt one of the world’s most significant aircraft.
Under the most pressing of circumstances it triumphed.
.
The 75th anniversary fly-past
carried the passenger Nick Hancock as “winner” of last year’s flawed
competition to design a Tribute for the Spitfire, organised by the Spitfire Tribute Foundation and supported by the Southern Daily Echo.
.
The finalists don’t understand the result, and neither do a good many people who want to see this represent all that is fair, honest and worth fighting for.
.
The BBC have investigated this and their programme can be seen by viewing YouTube
. www.youtube.com/vide
o/NbJOufYMdLc
.
Martin Witts
Spitfire Competition Finalist
Is there a date on Nick Hancock's design?
When was it submitted for initial assessment?
How do those dates fit in the 'timeline'?
skipwitts
says...
11:15am Wed 9 Mar 11
X Old Bill wrote:Hello X Old Bill, would I be right to assume that you are X Police? maybe we could benefit from your experience in this matter.
skipwitts wrote: The Spitfire is without any doubt one of the world’s most significant aircraft. Under the most pressing of circumstances it triumphed. . The 75th anniversary fly-past carried the passenger Nick Hancock as “winner” of last year’s flawed competition to design a Tribute for the Spitfire, organised by the Spitfire Tribute Foundation and supported by the Southern Daily Echo. . The finalists don’t understand the result, and neither do a good many people who want to see this represent all that is fair, honest and worth fighting for. . The BBC have investigated this and their programme can be seen by viewing YouTube . www.youtube.com/vide o/NbJOufYMdLc . Martin Witts Spitfire Competition FinalistA point or two not abundantly clear from Jon Cuthill's report; Is there a date on Nick Hancock's design? When was it submitted for initial assessment? How do those dates fit in the 'timeline'?
.
Good questions and along with several others put to Cllr Hannides he and the Spitfire Tribute Foundation (STF) together with Southampton City Council (SCC) have to date refused to answer in anything like sufficient detail.
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To answer your questions, Mr Hancock’s claimed initial design has no date on it. We also don’t know if it was submitted before the closing date of the competition, 9th August 2010. Mr Hancock’s full submission document was briefly available via a link on the Southern Daily Echo, when he was announced as winner on 7th November 2010, but this document was taken down almost immediately, with the following post by the Southern Daily Echo, “Sorry but we are unable to provide, as promised, a link to the winning design brochure for technical reasons”.
.
I have this document and can confirm that is has no specific date, just October 2010 on the front cover. Cllr Hannides SCC and chairman of the STF has significantly compounded the irritation we feel as the information we have been given via a freedom of information request conflicts with earlier explanations or results in more glaring inadequacies in the process of running such a prestigious competition.
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Anyone could be forgiven to conclude at present that the STF and SCC have been making this up as they go along. We feel that it is not acceptable to treat us and those interested in the Spitfire Tribute like this.
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Cllr Hannides and the STF should provide a detailed explanation. We ask a very reasonable set of questions in view of the circumstances. To us, it looks like a flawed competition, if not prove us wrong, we can prove at present that due process has not been followed. We are just trying to understand this, explain this and apologise for this and if satisfied we will go away, adopt the head down and tough this out approach and we will not.
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For me Stage 1 of the competition was entering my single A3 submission.
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Stage 2 unplanned and presented to us at short notice, was to provide any additional information we wanted, to support our case for a planned technical review at Southampton University. For me this represented 97 hrs of work and a trip to Southampton. Unbelievably our work was never seen or used in judging this competition; this is absolutely disgraceful conduct. We have no explanation for this from Cllr Hannides or Elizabeth Smith of SCC who arranged this and must know the details behind this.
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Stage 3 started when I saw the results of this “competition”, I just knew instantly we had been at the very least mislead and possibly worse.
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The BBC overall did a very good job trying to tell a potentially complicated story with dates and some technical detail. Yes they could have pushed Cllr Hannides harder and no questions apparently were asked of Mr Hancock, other than how do you feel? I believe that Cllr Hannides was at Mr Hancock’s side, off camera in this interview.
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Why did Mr Hancock decide to stay unknown in this competition? We don’t know if or when Mr Hancock became a finalist as there are conflicting accounts for this. If as claimed in the SCC minutes he became a finalist on the 21st September 2010, why did Mr Hancock or Cllr Hannides never correct the missed press coverage that Mr Hancock would have arguably benefited from?, a period of over 6 weeks. If as now claimed by Cllr Hannides Mr Hancock was added to the shortlist on the 14th / 15th September 2010 this extends the time Mr Hancock remained unknown to nearly 8 weeks! Why did Mr Hancock progress to the finish line secretly? Why did the STF or SCC not correct this? Why did Ian Murray the editor of this paper and STF board member not correct this? We press on and intend to get to the bottom of this. The reputation of the STF, SCC Cllr Hannides and Mr Hancock are at risk, it is crucial that this sorry affair is concluded so that the Spitfire gets the Tribute it deserves.
Martin Witts Spitfire Competition Finalist
www.youtube.com/vide
o/NbJOufYMdLc
Stillness says...
12:29pm Sat 5 Mar 11