Like no other plane

Retford postman, Simon Deas took to the skies for the flight of his life after gifting himself a Spitfire flying experience.

The 55-minute flight from Biggin Hill Airport in Kent to Beachy Head on the south coast and back again was everything and more to the avid Spitfire fan and an experience he’ll never forget.

‘The flight was actually a present to myself for my birthday this year,’ said Simon. ‘I've always been interested in WWII, particularly the air war in which the iconic Spitfire played a major role. So, having the chance to fly one was something I had always fancied doing.

‘Biggin Hill Airport, which is situated just south of London, was a major frontline fighter base throughout the war and now has two, two-seater Spitfires that are used for taking members of the public on flights. The money raised from these flights is used to help restore other Spitfires to an airworthy condition in various specialist hangars at the airfield.

‘I was obviously delighted to be able to finally fly a Spitfire, if only for a few basic manoeuvres – it was so exhilarating. The engine noise alone when sitting in the aircraft was just fantastic and at take-off, you really notice just how powerful the legendary Rolls Royce Merlin engine is.

‘Although the flight lasted just under an hour, it seemed to go so quickly. We flew in formation with a chase plane at 2,500 ft at a speed of 250 mph. When we arrived over Beachy Head we did a tight turn and flew parallel with the Seven Sisters before performing a victory roll over Eastbourne, which was just amazing. It was fascinating to feel how sensitive an aircraft the Spitfire is to turn – it was ideal for a fighter.

‘The pilot gave me so much information about the area we were flying over as well as the history behind the particular Spitfire we were in.

‘I think one of the main things I’ll remember is the fact that we were flying over a battlefield upon which so many young 18-19-year-old RAF pilots died, some of whom were on their very first combat flights after completing minimal training during the Battle of Britain as well as earlier, during the Blitz. It’s important that we remember the vital role both Spitfires and Hurricanes played in our history and “the few” who died flying them.

‘I've flown commercially before and also in a little Cessna plane many years ago, but this experience topped them all. It was a wonderful day, and definitely one I shall never forget.’

Retford delivery office manager Stephen Mackenzie, said: ‘Retford has had one the highest engagement score in the Employee Survey for the last two years and its cracking stories like this and the good will of everyone here that makes it such a brilliant office to work in.’