Spitfire over The Tower

30 May 2001
By kind permission: © 2001 Jessica Nichols, Evening Star

It was arranged to get children interested in the Martlesham Heath Aviation Society and to keep them aware of the horrors of war. 

Squadron Leader Paul Day, who is commanding officer of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, was at the helm of the Mark Nine Spitfire as it circled the Martlesham Control Tower three times before flying back off to RAF Conningsbury in Lincolnshire where the plane is based. 

Land next to the control tower was packed with around 200 cars filled with veterans of the Second World War as well as young children who stood in awe as the plane passed overhead. 

After the plane had gone, the control tower museum was open and was crammed with people interested in finding out about the history of the planes. 

This was something the organiser of the event, Tarkey Barker, was thrilled to see. He is an avid member of the Martlesham Heath Aviation Society and became hooked on planes when his father took him to see a Battle of Britain fly past in 1954. 

He said: "We need to see more young people getting involved in the society as most of our members are now getting older. Young people need to be aware of exactly what went on in the war - if it had not have been for these planes and this handful of people, who knows where we would be now. 

"They teach them so much history in schools, but it was 60 years ago and out of a text book it is boring - but to see an actual Spitfire flying overhead is so much better."