IT has brought a wry smile to the face of former Coldstream Guardsman Jack Ashton MBE.

But the ironic fact that cash from Pentagon Mercedes - which sells sleek limousines manufactured by the German car giant - has helped fund a £70,000 project to commemorate the Spitfire doesn't rankle with the 84-year-old president of the Eastleigh and District Branch of the Royal British Legion.

Cash from the dealership, in the form of developers' contributions, has been used to provide a permanent tribute to the aviation legend which helped save the country - and went on to become the world's best known fighter plane.

But old soldier Mr Ashton - who was at Dunkirk and later fought his way from France to Berlin after the D-Day invasion - asked: "Why not, for goodness sake?"

He added: "If a German firm wants to put a few bucks into a monument to probably the greatest aeroplane ever invented, then God bless them for it."

Mr Ashton admitted: "For seven years I hated them (Germans), but not now.

"We have got to move on and we are part of Europe."

Malcolm Sonnex, operations director for Mercedes-Benz of Southampton, said he was delighted that his company had been so heavily involved in helping to provide such an important focal point for the area.

He said: "We are honoured to have contributed to such an important landmark, which not only commemorates the region's aviation heritage but also provides a fitting tribute for future generations to reflect upon."

The Spitfire sculpture is due to be officially unveiled tomorrow - 68 years to the day after it made its maiden flight from Eastleigh.

But the near-size replica of the prototype Spitfire, designed by Reginald Mitchell, is already in situ on a roundabout in Wide Lane - next to the airport, and only a few metres from where it first flew.

The sculpture, created by Southampton artist Alan Manning, was transported in sections - in much the same way as the first Spitfires were brought to the airport from the Supermarine Factory in Woolston - to be assembled ready for Friday's ceremony.

It was at Eastleigh Aerodrome, now known as Southampton International Airport, that the Spitfire first took to the skies on March 5, 1936, with test pilot Joseph "Mutt" Summers at the controls.

The sculpture will be officially launched tomorrow by Reginald Mitchell's son, Dr Gordon Mitchell. It is hoped the event will be marked by the flypast of a lone Spitfire.

While invited guests will be present, the fact that the site is on a major road junction means it will not be possible to open the event to the public.