Spitfire roars over Portsmouth Harbour

The Spitfire flying over the south coast today Picture: flyingwithspitfires.com

It was perfect weather for the vintage Second World War fighter, as it soared over the city accompanied by a helicopter after taking off from Southampton Airport this morning.

Jacquie Shaw, of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, was thrilled by the display.

She said: ‘Flyovers like that always fascinate our visitors.

‘To be able to see a bit of aviation history like that is wonderful. It’s just a really moving sight to see.’

The flight comes ahead of celebrations this weekend of the 80th anniversary of the first flight of the iconic Second World War fighter.

And a Spitfire is also scheduled to fly over Portsmouth tomorrow morning.

Flying from Southampton Airport, the plane is due to arrive in Portsmouth at about 11.15am, where it will make a lap of the harbour before returning to Southampton.

Portsmouth South MP Flick Drummond said she was delighted the plane will visit the city.

‘We often see this icon of the Second World War doing acrobatics over the Solent, which is always thrilling to watch,’ she said.