35 Spitfires and Hurricanes!

http://www.sevenoakschronicle.co.uk...-flypast-set/story-27613152-detail/story.html
Today we have 18 spits and hurries on the flight line at Biggin, there will be three flights, I might get up Leith Hill to see the Grice flight, which is on a route of

12:45 depart, Westerham, Portsmouth, round the Solent and IoW, Dunsfold, return Biggin at 14:00

Tho the cloud base is low at the moment - might not get airborne.

 

I think the Beeb may have got their Spitfires and Hurricanes mixed up...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-33966632

 

BBC News video report is contradictory with other sources (including their own web story!), including claiming that the third formation will "circle London as in 1940" - what does this mean - following the M25, an orbit over the North/South Circular, etc? In 1940 a formation didn't circle London, only Biggin Hill aerodrome itself, to protect incoming aircraft. ITV's stuff is no better, having Biggin Hill in the wrong place on the maps!

 

Well, I poured over google earth checking the start location (biggin) the assembly point (westerham) the destination (portsmouth) the return route (via dunsfold), plotted the lines and decided that Leith Hill would be the spot to be at (vaguely toyed with the idea that Box Hill would be a good spot).

So I drove to Leith Hill, and they flew over box hill about 5 miles behind me. Annoyingly my route there and home was past box hill.

 

Deleted

 

Just back from the Biggin Hill "Hardest Day" commemoration. Spine tingling, breathtaking and very, very emotional. Today had it all. Definitely an "I was there" occasion.

 

I was on the airfield at Biggin Hill - you know it's good when there are so many aircraft in the skies you don't know which way to point your camera! Absolutely stunning and a fitting tribute to those who fought and lived through the Battle of Britain.

Regards,

Dan

 

have another go here

https://grrc.goodwood.com/battle-of-britain/battle-of-britain-day-flypast#m3sq82B4CzKT5HZT.97

dave