Spitfires return to Biggin Hill in heritage hangar

The planes are not based there in the numbers that Biggin Hill airfield saw during and after the Second World War but Peter Monk’s heritage hangar is home to four of the flying machines.

As well as his Spitfire Mark 9 the Spirit of Kent there is another Mark 9 called the Borough of Bromley, a Mark IA and a Mark 16 Spitfire.

Further Spitfires are scheduled to arrive over the next few months and the hangar is also home to a Piper Cub and a North American Harvard.

It is not yet open to the public but it is hoped people will be able to view the planes by appointment after the hangar’s official launch in late spring.

Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar spokesman Robin Brooks said: "Interest is very much on the agenda and with the sad demise of the annual Air Fair, the establishment of the heritage hangar will certainly put Biggin Hill back where it belongs on the vintage aviation map of the UK.

"It is just getting going and we intend to have hangar days when people will be able to pay to come and have a look at the aircraft and we are going to have flying evenings when the public will be able to visit and see the planes."

Mr Brooks added: "We want to use this as a flying tribute to The Few so it is really intended to be a flying tribute to those guys but also the Spirit of Kent also flies in memory of the 131 County of Kent Flying Squadron."

And former Spitfire pilot Rodney Scrase, of of Bishops Avenue, Bromley, welcomed the efforts of Mr Monk in setting up the Spitfire Company (Biggin Hill) to show off the flying machines.

The 90-year-old said: "Anything that helps Biggin Hill stay in the spotlight is to be admired and supported so, as far as the hangar is concerned, it is really quite extraordinary to think that we will have four Spitfires there and in flying condition.

"I would love to visit and I would be delighted to be able to participate in the opening and keep the memory going."

Go to kentspitfire.co.uk for more details.