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What do you think of when you hear the word ‘Spitfire’? The massive Prodigy tune? The skate brand? The iconic fighter plane that played a pivotal role in WWII?
If you went for the final option (correct!), you may well be either from or have a lot in common with the good people of Southampton, who are leading 90th birthday celebrations for the legendary attack jet, which was created in their fair city back in 1936.
To mark the anniversary, a two-seat Spitfire painted in the colours of the initial prototype will make nine commemorative flights to and from airbases around the country. These will run from April 7-17, with modern RAF aircraft in tow for parts of the journey. It’s supported by the Royal Air Force and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and members of the public will be offered the chance to ride along in the plane. Seats will be auctioned off, with funds going to the Mark Long Trust and the RAF Benevolent Fund.
Southampton’s SeaCity Museum will host a Spitfire display until the end of September, while an eight-minute aerial Spitfire display will coincide with the ABP Southampton Marathon on May 3.
Soton’s heritage steamship SS Shieldhall will provide new commentary about the aircraft and launch a tour dubbed In the Footsteps of the Spitfire (tickets start at £45), with options for a guided walk through the Solent Sky Museum or Woolston, the former home of the Supermarine Spitfire Factory. There’ll also be two-hour walking tours around the city courtesy of Visit Hampshire (tickets for this cost £15).
Solent Sky Museum itself offers the chance to check out a real-life prototype, while SeaCity Museum will host a display about the factory workers who helped to build the aircraft.
You can also check out a commemorative plaque at Southampton Airport, which was unveiled earlier this month. Southampton Airport operations director Maurice Boyle said: ‘These plaques honour both a world‑changing first flight and the extraordinary men and women who built the aircraft that helped change the course of history. We are privileged to work with our heritage partners to ensure this story continues to inspire future generations, and we are proud that Southampton Airport remains central to telling it.’
Finally, South Hampshire Armed Forces will host a three-day Spitfire event at Eastleigh from June 27-28. This will involve a two-day festival that coincides with Armed Forces Day, featuring a replica Spitfire, a military vehicles display, live music and family activities.
The original Spitfire prototype was invented by Southampton engineer R.J. Mitchell. Back then, it was dubbed the K5054 and made its maiden flight from Eastleigh Aerodrome (now Southampton Airport) on March 5 1936. It was piloted by Joseph ‘Mutt’ Summers, who successfully completed an eight-minute journey, making history in the process. Upon his landing, he reportedly said: ‘Don’t change a thing.’
It was just one act of bravery in the story of the Spitfire and led to many more, given the key role the plane played in the Battle of Britain.
The Spitfire’s full commemorative flight schedule in April 2026
- April 7: Southampton Airport to RAF Coningsby
- April 8: RAF Coningsby to RAF Leuchars
- April 9: RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth
- April 10: RAF Lossiemouth to Glasgow Prestwick Airport
- April 13: Glasgow Prestwick Airport to RAF Valley
- April 14: RAF Valley to MOD St Athan
- April 15: MOD St Athan to RAF St Mawgan
- April 16 RAF St Mawgan to Exeter Airport
- April 17: Exeter Airport to Southampton Airport
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