RAF Spitfires grounded for D-Day anniversary, says Ministry of Defence

The RAF’s fleet of Spitfires will be grounded for D-Day, the Ministry of Defence has said, with flypasts at Trooping the Colour also in doubt.

The five Spitfires – along with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Hurricanes, Chipmunks, Dakota and Lancaster – will remain grounded during the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day next week.

The aircraft were grounded last Saturday after a BBMF Spitfire crashed in Lincolnshire, killing Squadron Leader Mark Long.

An RAF spokesman said: “At this stage the cause of the accident remains unknown. Therefore, after extensive consultation between the Chief of the Air Staff and relevant senior RAF officers, it has been decided to continue the pause in flying for the BBMF.

“As always, flight safety remains the RAF’s primary concern. Therefore, BBMF flying will only resume when it is safe and appropriate to do so. As a result, regretfully, BBMF aircraft are not expected to be able to participate in the forthcoming D-Day 80 Commemorations over June 5 and 6.”

A Spitfire had also been scheduled to carry out flypasts over a ferry carrying D-Day veterans to France on June 4. RAF sources said an A400M transport aeroplane, instead of a BBMF machine, would overfly the ferry.

Air Force sources did not rule out the possibility that the BBMF grounding would extend to the King’s official birthday, which is marked during the annual Trooping the Colour parade in London, due to be held on Saturday June 15. The BBMF sent its Lancaster, two Hurricanes and a Spitfire to last year’s parade.

The Red Arrows are scheduled to fly over Portsmouth on June 5, when the National Commemorative Event for D-Day will take place. The jets will also carry out a flypast over Normandy on June 6, marking the 80th anniversary itself.

It is understood that a Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet, which has been specially painted in a D-Day era colour scheme, will also be in France for the commemorations.

The Spitfire that crashed last weekend, with the military serial number MK356, flew over the beaches of Normandy during D-Day in 1944, and shot down a German Messerschmitt on June 7.

Experts from the Defence Accident Investigation Branch are examining the wreckage of the Spitfire, and RAF sources said on Friday that an “expedited” formal investigation, known as a service inquiry, was taking place.

Squadron Leader Long is understood to have made a Mayday radio call immediately before the aircraft crashed.

Sources said he took off from RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, as normal, but the aircraft crashed within about a minute of takeoff.

Air traffic controllers heard the mayday call and are understood to have watched the crash happening from the control tower.

Sources familiar with BBMF engineering practices said the flight’s aircraft were some of the best maintained in the world but highlighted the age and provenance of some spare parts.

Squadron Leader Long’s family paid tribute to the father of two, saying he was “cherished and deeply missed by us all”.