SPITFIRES are to fly once more over Salisbury as part of a commemoration that will see the largest gathering of the aircraft since World War Two.

The flypast today (Tuesday) will mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and it is hoped that there will be an estimated 40 Spitfires and Hurricanes and Blenheims from across the UK, USA and Europe taking part in the event.   Salisbury, which was responsible for much of the production of the Spitfire, is on one of a number of routes the Spitfires will take.

The planes will at first fly together in a "big wing" from Goodwood Aerodrome and then they will break up into ten smaller formations to fly over towns hit by the German bombers, former RAF airfields and the factories where the planes were built.

It is estimated the fighters will pass over the city in two separate formations between 12.25pm and 1pm.

One of the principle supporters of the event, Paul Beaver, said: "Present day aircraft owners, operators, pilots and engineers will congregate to create an event aimed to show those few remaining veterans who fought 75 years ago, and everyone that they stand for and on behalf of, that we, the modern generation, care about the sacrifices they made."

Hundreds of thousands of people will see and hear the aircraft during the commemoration which marks the decisive moment in the battle between "the Few" of RAF Fighter Command and the might of Hitler's Luftwaffe.

Paul Beaver, an aviation expert, had his book Spitfire People published earlier this year to mark the historic event and the individuals who played their part in it.

He has just also had published a poster guide to the 50 vintage Spitfires and Hurricanes flypast and it will be launched at the Biggin Hill ‘scramble’ on Tuesday, 18th August.

“This should appeal to the small boy in everyone who sees these magnificent aeroplanes in the air this summer,” said Paul.

Courtesy of the Boultbee Flight Academy at Goodwood, sample drawings can be viewed on the Battle of Britain Day website www.battleofbritainday.co.uk.