Silver Spitfire returns after 27,000-mile mission
WITH a gentle tip of its silver wings, a Spitfire soars majestically over theWhite Cliffs of Dover as it returns home in victory after a round-the-world flight.
Flanked by two welcoming Red Arrows jets, pilot Matt Jones made a perfect landing on a grass runway yesterday at Goodwood aerodrome near Chichester.
He and co-pilot Steve Boultbee Brooks celebrated after completing an epic four-month 27,000mile journey in the magnificently restored SecondWorldWar fighter.
Reunion
The aircraft completed its mission, called simply The Longest Flight, with immaculate grace.
And for former banker Matt, 45, it meant a joyful reunion with his partner Nikkolay James, who greeted him with their newborn son Arthur.
Moments after landing, Matt said: “What a welcome. After such a whirlwind of a trip, it feels quite surreal to be back at Goodwood with our mission complete.
“From flying past the Statue of Liberty to coasting the frozen plains of Russia and the jungles of Asia, we have been lucky enough to see the Earth in all its beauty, all while sitting in the most gorgeous Spitfire.
“It’s been an unforgettable experience.”
Co-pilot Steve, 58, said: “It’s so wonderful to be back on home soil. It’s been an incredible adventure and such a privilege to share our stunning silver Spitfire with the rest of the world.
“There have been challenges along the way but at every stop we’ve received such incredible support from people on the ground. Everyone has greeted us and our aircraft with open arms.” Matt and Steve set off from West Sussex on August 7, buoyed by a farewell wave from Prince Harry who urged them to “have fun”.
After taking off at Goodwood the 76-year-old Spitfire flew to Scotland then west, passing over Greenland before reaching New York and going on to California. The duo took turns with one flying the Spitfire and the other in a back-up aircraft.
They then headed in stages of the marathon journey from California north to Canada and Alaska before roaring into Russia.
In Japan they dodged a typhoon before facing the humidity of Myanmar and India.
They rested up in Abu Dhabi then travelled across Italy and the Netherlands before touching down to cheers at Goodwood with some 30 countries under their belts.
Matt and Steve had plenty to tell their family and friends.
Flypast
They had joined the Red Arrows for a flypast of the Canadian parliament in Ottawa, did a victory roll over the Pyramids and endured a long pit stop in Russia while payments were sorted out.
The Mark 1X Spitfire was bought at auction by the two aircraft enthusiasts three years ago.
Built in 1943, Spitfire MJ271 was delivered to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire in the autumn of that year and was immediately put to work in the war patrolling the Dutch coast and covering US bombers sent to attack Berlin.
It was taken out of service in 1944 after it sustained damage in Belgium.
In the hands of Matt and Steve, who own the Boultbee Flight Academy at Goodwood, the plane was completely restored and modernised for the flight, with its aluminium bodywork polished instead of being painted in camouflage colours.
Spitfires, alongside its sister aircraft the Hurricane, played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain, saving the country from Nazi invasion by denying the Luftwaffe air superiority in the dark days of 1940 after the fall of France.