What's Included
• Flight in a vintage RAF de Havilland Devon alongside the St George Spitfire
• 40 minute experience in close formation, wing to wing with the spitfire
• Spectacular aerial views of Eyebrook Reservoir and the surrounding countryside
• You will form part of a group of up to 8 participants for your flight, all with a window seat
• Ground viewing of the spitfire with plenty of photo opportunities
• Staff on hand to answer all your questions about the Spitfire
• Entry to the Sywell Aviation Museum, subject to opening times
• Experiences generally last 3-4 hours
What Can I Expect
Chocks away for a very special Dambusters Spitfire flight! This is vintage military aviation at its very best, as you fly over historic Eyebrook Reservoir in a de Havilland Devon, accompanied by a Spitfire.
It'll be a magnificent MkIX Spitfire that'll be joining you in the air. Beautifully restored and maintained, TD314 now flies under the moniker ‘St George’ and it’s a superb example of this impressive fighter plane. And whilst the St George is undoubtedly the star of the show, the plane you’ll be flying in for this tour is actually quite special too…
The de Havilland Devon is the military equivalent of the Dove civil passenger plane. It boasts a very retro 1950s style, harking back to the decade when post-war air travel was, quite literally, just starting to take off. G-DHDV, flying under the serial number VP981, has a fascinating flying history. This included a stint as the personal air transport for Sir Basil Embry, when he was Commander of Allied Forces Central Europe based in France.
After a final role as the crew plane for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from 1985, this graceful Devon was retired from military life. For her new lease of life operating de Havilland Devon flights alongside the St George Spitfire, she has kept her resplendent RAF livery.
What’s more, the cabin configuration inside couldn’t be better for observing the Spitfire flying beside you. Carrying a maximum of just eight passengers in a one by one configuration, every seat is a window seat and they are really large windows at that - nothing like the commercial jets of today!
This all means you are guaranteed fabulous, unobstructed views from the de Havilland Devon, as the glorious Spitfire glides effortlessly into view. The back drop of Eyebrook Reservoir is highly appropriate too. This is where Dambuster training sessions took place in May 1943, prior to the raids. All in all, your Dambusters Spitfire flight lasts around 40 minutes and once back in the hangar, try and make time to visit delightful on-site Aviation Museum - a must for historic aviation fans.
Availability
• Selected weekend dates between April and October, subject to weather conditions
Suitable For
• Height restrictions: Minimum 4ft 6ins, maximum height 6ft 4ins
• Maximum weight 18 stone
Spectators
• Spectators are welcome, with excellent views of the aircraft
Anything Else I Need To Know?
• On site cafe, bar and Sywell Aviation Museum
• All flights are 'chock to chock' so include taxi time
• At no point do you fly in the Spitfire
• Participants should allow for a whole day for the experience 9am-7pm
• Experiences generally last half a day and this is a precaution to allow for weather conditions
• Opportunity to 'Sit in a Spit' The iconic Spitfire Mk IX TD314 for an additional charge of £65 payable on the day
Location
• Sywell Aerodrome, Northamptonshire
