British WWII planes ‘not expected’ to take part in D-Day celebrations after Spitfire crash
The Royal Air Force announced that British World War II planes, including the iconic Spitfire, will not be participating in the upcoming events for the 80th anniversary of D-Day following a tragic crash. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), known for its collection of wartime fighter and bomber aircraft, has been grounded after pilot Mark Long lost his life in a Spitfire crash near the RAF Coningsby base in Lincolnshire, eastern England.
The RAF stated that the cause of the crash is still under investigation, leading to the decision to keep the fleet grounded for the time being due to safety concerns. As a result, the BBMF aircraft will not be able to take part in the D-Day 80 Commemorations scheduled for June 5-6, 2024. This comes as a disappointment, as the Spitfires were set to participate in a national event in Portsmouth to honor the Allied forces’ historic landing on the beaches of Normandy.
Despite the setback, there are still a few dozen airworthy Spitfires remaining, with six of them belonging to the BBMF. The RAF’s investigation into the crash continues, and a decision on the vintage planes’ future flights is pending.
This unexpected turn of events has left many aviation enthusiasts and history buffs eagerly awaiting updates on the situation and hoping for the safe return of these iconic British WWII planes. The legacy of these aircraft and the bravery of the pilots who flew them continue to be honored and remembered as part of the nation’s rich wartime history.