12th November 2009

Dates are now coming in for 2010 including three days display at the Kent County Show on the 16th, 17th and 18th of July. The Spitfire is also returning to War and Peace on Saturday 24th July. Further dates will be announced on this site as they come in. Anyone interested in booking the aircraft for weddings, funerals, fetes, air shows etc please contact us.

R J Brooks-Publicity

4th August 2009

Chalke Valley Cricket Club and the Kent Spitfire, with the support of the Arnhem Veterans Club, bring you the unique opportunity to win a 20 minute aerobatic display at a time and place of your choosing.

Please visit www.spitfiredisplay.co.uk for further details

Price is £10 per ticket and there is no restriction on how many tickets you can buy.

All proceeds go towards the Kent Spitfire Arnhem Appeal, which is raising funds so that the Spitfire can fly in support of the Arnhem Veterans' Club at the 65th Anniversary on 18th/19th September 2009 and towards the Chalke Valley Cricket Club New Ground Appeal.

28th July 2009

The weekend of 25/26 July proved a busy time for the aircraft. Flown superbly by Clive on the Saturday, the first display was at War and Peace show at Beltring. Coming in low over the arena, Clive was met by a fusillade of firing from the re-enactors below. It was then on to the Bae Open Day at Rochester Airport where after displaying, Clive landed and parked up to allow the visitors to see 'Spirit of Kent' close up. In the evening it was the Headcorn Airfield Proms and what a nostalgic and British evening this turned out to be. Among a picture of waving flags, Clive flying 'Spirit of Kent' and Anna Walker flying the HAC Hurricane together with Rob Davies in P51 Mustang 'Big Beautiful Doll' ensured that it was nostalgia all the way. Sunday it was Dan bringing the aircraft into Rochester for the airport open day. Departing at around 2.30pm, Dan flew several nice passes over the huge crowd before departing for Biggin Hill. Another successful weekend for the Kent Spitfire.

R J Brooks-Publicity

23rd July 2009

Would like the opportunity to sit in a flying Spitfire?

The Kent Spitfire in association with the Shoreham Aircraft Museum can arrange this for you!

Tickets are available on Sat 8th and Sun 9th August at Biggin Hill to sit in the cockpit of The Kent Spitfire where you will have your photo taken and you will be shown around the aircraft by one of the pilots.  Tickets are available for £30.00 (photograph included). 

Cheques should be made payable to the "Shoreham Aircraft Museum", and sent 13 High street, Shoreham Village, Sevenoaks Kent TN14 7TB. Or you can pay credit card by phoning the museum on 01959 524416.

Click here for more information

23rd July 2009

14th July 2009

In very difficult conditions due to low cloud and drizzle, the immense crowd at Chelsfield Village Fete were treated to a superb flying display by Dan in 'Spirit of Kent'. This was the second appearance of the aircraft at this very popular fete and although flying was limited to a flat display, Dan none-the-less thrilled the crowd. I have been asked to pass on the many compliments that came to me from the people to Dan. Shortly after the cloud base came even lower causing Dan to abort a planned visit to Ardingley.

The next displays from 'Spirit of Kent' will be a very full day on Saturday 25th July. Starting with an appearance at War and Peace at 12noon, it is then off to Bae Systems Open Day at Rochester Airport for 12.30 followed by an evening appearance at the Headcorn Proms at Headcorn Airfield. The next day (Sunday) the aircraft will fly at a memorial service for Andy Cresswell, a popular member of the Lashenden Air Warfare Museum, again at Headcorn before flying to Rochester Airport for the Open Day.

Robin J Brooks-Publicity.

20th June 2009

With the success of last years fete and the first appearance there of the Kent Spitfire, the organisers have booked the aircraft for this years fete on Saturday July 11th. Over the years the fete has gained in popularity and this year is to be no exception. ‘Spirit of Kent’ is to be flown by Dan Griffiths once again and with good weather we can look forward to some impressive flying. A new visitor this year is the appearance of the DeHavilland Vampire which will be displaying after the Kent Spitfire. Pics of last years display are to be seen by visiting www.chelsfieldfair.com.  Once again it will be a good day with lots to do and see.

(Please note the amended date of this event)

 Robin J Brooks on behalf of Dave Griffiths – Organiser Chelsfield Village Fete.

9th June 2009

The Kent Spitfire returned to Biggin Hill after three days flying over the Normandy beaches during the June6 commemorations. Flown by both Peter and Clive, several successful sorties were flown over Arromanches and Caen. Looking down at the veterans below Peter remarked he could almost see tears in the eyes of the warriors.

This was a personal tribute that Peter wanted to pay to those who gained our freedom for today. Bad weather had prevented the attempts of the past two years but 2009 saw almost perfect weather allowing the flight to go ahead.

For many of the veterans this might well be the last year they attend the commemorations in Normandy but it was gratifying to see so many Air, Army and Sea Cadets in attendance.

Let us hope they will carry on the memory just as the Kent Spitfire did.

R J Brooks. Publicity.

4th June 2009

The Kent Spitfire has arrived at Le Harve in France in preparation for flying over the D-Day Beaches on Saturday.

27th May 2009

The Kent Spitfire Open Day at Manston held on May 24 2009 exceeded all expectations. Around 4,000 people flocked to the former RAF airfield now known as 'Kent International Airport' to see Dan Griffiths fly 'Spirit of Kent' in the morning and in the afternoon. Resplendent in its invasion markings, Dan ensured that the people saw the aircraft from every angle possible. The afternoon also saw a flypast by the nine Hawks of the Red Arrows who were based at Manston for the weekend and flying at the Southend airshow. Also giving a flypast was a Eurofighter Typhoon, another visitor to Southend. However the star of the day was certainly 'Spirit of Kent'. One drawback with these open days is that we cannot now bring the aircraft to park outside the Spitfire and Hurricane museum due to new security regulations at the airport. It is hoped that future negotiations with the airport authorities will enable the crash gate to be re-opened and allow the Spitfire to park alongside. It is hoped to hold another open day in September. Watch this space!
 
R J Brooks. Publicity.

15th May 2009

On Thursday May 14 the cameras of ITV Meridian arrived at Biggin Hill to record a tribute to D.Day to be broadcast around the June 6 period. Derek Johnson together with cameraman Martin interviewed the writer regarding the history of Operation Fortitude, the decoy plans to fool the Germans, before speaking to Peter Monk about his own tribute to those brave men who took part in the invasion. It is Peter’s intention to fly ‘Spirit of Kent’ over to Normandy and along the invasion beaches for the veterans who will be parading below. This may well be the last year that those who took part in this historic landing will be able to travel to France as age takes its toll. Hence the aircraft, complete with invasion stripes, will bring a tear to many of those below. Bad weather over the past two years has prevented Peter from going despite his intentions of doing so but this year, with the promise of a good June, ‘Spirit of Kent’ will fly once more over those battlefields and oceans where the allies landed to ensure us left behind of a free world. 

R J Brooks. Publicity

Leysdown

6th May 2009

The Kent Spitfire, resplendent in its new invasion stripes, displayed at the 100 years of flight celebrations at Muswell Manor, Shellbeach, Leysdown on Sunday May 3. Flown by Dan Griffiths, it was part of the aerial display organised by the writer for the current owners of Muswell Manor. Leysdown is the cradle of British aviation as the first fledgling steps in flying were taken by members of the Aero Club in May 1909. Aviators such as J T C Moore-Brabazon, the Hon Charles Stewart Rolls and others took to the air from the tiny airfield to become the first Britons to fly powered flight. After a visit from the Wright Brothers, Short Brothers arrived from Battersea to begin building several Short/Wright flyers for these intrepid aviators. This was the birth place of all that we see in the air today and it was here at Muswell Manor that history was made. Accompanied by appropriate music, the Kent Spitfire arrived fresh from Duxford and displayed for 15 minutes before returning to its proper home at Biggin Hill. To great applause and cheers, Dan displayed the aircraft to its best at this home of British aviation.

Our next appearance will be at Manston on May 24 when the Spitfire will hold its open day with an appearance from the Red Arrows.

Please note that those attending the War and Peace show at Beltring in July will not see, as advertised in various magazines, a dog fight between the Kent Spitfire and a Messerschmitt. Both aircraft will be displaying independently.

R J Brooks. Publicity.

8th April 2009

The first of two open days in 2009 for the Kent Spitfire will be held at the Spitfire and Hurricane Museum at Manston airfield on Sunday 24th May. This is a free event with flying, stalls and much more.

We are fortunate to have the Red Arrows at Manston for refuelling whilst doing a display over Dover and they have kindly consented to do several flypasts. In addition the Kent Spitfire will be in attendance and will hopefully be able to park near the museum.

A Stearman will also be displaying on what should be a very good day, weather permitting".

Robin J Brooks - Publicity.

At this moment in time I am attempting to get together some type of programme for next year. Anyone interested in booking the Spitfire for that special day and display, please contact Robin J Brooks on 01622 675847. A free DVD is available to interested parties.
 
Robin J Brooks - Publicity.