The Spitfire Spectacular
Fly with this legendary aircraft across Battle of Britain country, and see the sights significant to the aerial battles of 1940. This is a flight you will remember for the rest of your life.
Land and then lunch at the luxurious Walletts Court Hotel set in the rolling Downs, in view of the South Foreland Lighthouse, as the Spitfire continues her display overhead.
Your experience starts at Manston airfield, boarding one of our executive helicopters to fly the scenic route down to ‘Battle of Britain’ country. We’ll formate with the Spitfire over Canterbury, where you will see the Cathedral, a World Heritage Site. We then fly on over the stunning Kent countryside to the coast. As we fly, the Spitfire will chase our helicopter across the Kent countryside - a thrilling sight as she flies by – close enough to exchange a wave with the pilot.
Photographs courtesy of StuartAdams Historic Aircraft Collection Ltd.With the patchwork quilt of the English countryside below, and a Spitfire flying alongside you, it will be as if you’ve been transported back in time to 1940.
As we approach the area that was known as Hell Fire Corner, due to the intense shelling and attacks from the European mainland, we’ll overfly Hawkinge, which was one of the frontline airfields in the Battle of Britain, and now where the Battle of Britain museum is based.
Flying out over the English Channel we’ll see the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel le Ferne, a giant 80m propeller set in the cliff top, at the centre of which is a statue of a young fighter pilot sitting looking out to sea. We’ll be able to circle this site, and watch the Spitfire flying an aerobatic sequence in salute to the Few. It is around these cliff tops where much of the actual Battle took place.
Photographs courtesy of StuartAdams Historic Aircraft Collection Ltd.We’ll then head east, along Samphire Hoe, over Dover harbour, and the the magnificent Dover castle, which was used as an operations centre during WW2. As you fly along the coast the Spitfire will overfly the helicopter – underneath and over the top in a remarkable display performed especially for you. These are emotive sights as we make our way around the coast, with the White Cliffs and Dover Harbour below.
As the helicopter formates on the South Foreland lighthouse, the Spitfire will perform a private aerobatic display – just for us. During these flying sequences, you’ll be able to take advantage of the panoramic views from the helicopter, and photograph the Spitfire as she manoeuvres around us.
Photographs courtesy of StuartAdams Historic Aircraft Collection Ltd.You will see the Spitfire in a way that has never been presented to the public before. Using the helicopter as an aerial viewing platform, the Spitfire will fly around, below and above us – you will be thrilled to experience this sensational 360°display, carried out with the magnificent back drop of the white cliffs of the Kent coast, the English Channel below, and panoramic views over to France.
With a little imagination, you will experience what it must have been like to meet up with a Spitfire - either as friend or foe, in this part of the country where the most intense air fighting took place during the Battle of Britain.
Seated comfortably in the helicopter, you’ll be thrilled to see the Spitfire, as she soars past your window! Marvel at her manoeuvrability – even 70 years on, she takes your breath away.
After your close encounter with this legendary aircraft, we’ll land on the lawns of the luxurious Wallets Court hotel set in the rolling downland, just inland of the White Cliffs, and the South Foreland Lighthouse - both famous landmarks on the English coast.
Here you will disembark from your helicopter and stroll across the garden to enjoy lunch (included in the tour) in the lovely setting of the conservatory, which overlooks the grounds. Here you will be able to enjoy watching the spectacle of the Spitfire flying, this time from the ground, as she wheels around on her circuit around the coast. If the weather is suitable, you will be able to sit outside in the garden, enjoying your lunch and complimentary glasses of wine (two included with lunch)
Having been fully refreshed, we now board the helicopter again, and fly back to Manston, over flying Sandwich and Pegwell Bay. RAF Manston was another WW 2 airfield, famous for the Channel Dash operation, and being the airfield where the first operational Meteor jet aircraft were based in 1944.
After disembarking from the helicopter at Manston you will have the opportunity to walk over to the Spitfire as she is prepared for her return flight to Duxford.
Meet with our pilot of the day - usually Charlie Brown, one of the most experienced Spitfire pilots in the world. He is a very interesting and knowledgeable chap to talk to, and will enjoy meeting fellow enthusiasts. This is an excellent opportunity to photograph and be photographed with this most beautiful of all aircraft.
As a memento of the Flight of your Life, you are given a stunning framed photograph of our Spitfire BM597, flown by Charlie Brown, and G- SUEY, the Long Ranger helicopter that you flew in, signed by Charlie and Steve Burt, the originator of the Spitfire flying experiences and owner of Action Stations! , the company that he has built around this original idea.
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After your experience has finished, you can also visit the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial museum, five minutes drive away. Enjoy the fascinating history of the display aircraft, and other aviation history, including the story of the Swordfish aircraft sent out to attack enemy battle ships - against all odds. The Dam Buster ‘ bouncing bomb’ trials were carried out at Reculver, just up the coast, and there is a display dedicated to this mission.
A short walk way is the RAF Manston Museum which houses exhibits and information about the military airfield throughout its history until it became the civilian airfield, Kent International, in 1999.
These museums are run by volunteers, so all donations are gratefully received. On some days we can request guided tours, but pre –booking is essential.
And so ends your Platinum Tour, a unique aerial Battle of Britain experience, taking in the sights, and scenes associated with the Battle of Britain, over Kent in 1940. The overall tour time should last @3 hours, with approximately 1¼ hours flying time.
Platinum Spitfire Experience, lunch included -
£775.00 (incl. Vat) or £155.00/month using our Buy to Fly easy payment plan.
Reserve the Aviator's Seat! Want to sit alongside the pilot and see all the action upfront?
For a £50.00 premium, we will reserve this for you, for the ultimate flying experience.
Please make sure that you mention this when booking to guarantee your seat.
Tickets are sold on an 'open' basis - they are valid from now until October 31st, 2010. You can choose a date to fly when buying OR choose the date later when your plans are more fixed.
Overall flying time in the helicopter is approximately 1¼ hrs, of which at least 30 minutes will be in company of the Spitfire.
We are now taking bookings for flights in 2010
Please call 01227 721929, to discuss your requirements.
Please have your payment details to hand.
Bookings are confirmed upon receipt of full payment. All major credit cards are accepted.
Tours are subject to availability. Maximum passenger weight 210lbs/ 95kgs.
Terms and Conditions apply.
