A tribute to a pilot who was killed when his plane crashed into a field last week has taken place at a Second World War airshow.
The Imperial War Museum at Duxford paid special homage to Sqn Ldr Mark Long by displaying their Spitfire aircraft in his honour.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was due to take part in the IWM’s Summer Airshow commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day but was grounded while investigations into the crash took place.
The Spitfire Mark Long was flying came down in Lincolnshire on May 25 and he was declared dead at the scene.
RAF Pilot Mark Long
RAF
Adam Kendall, Head of Commerical Services at IWM Duxford, said: “It’s incredibly sad. Our condolences go out to BBMF and Sqn Ldr Mark Long’s family.”
“We are big supporters of BBMF here and we regularly have them at our airshows.”
“They are so important to both Duxford and the nation.”
He added: “We are putting out our own Spitfires in tribute to what happened.”
While acknowledging the gap in the schedule, Adam supported the MoD’s decision to halt BBMF’s flying commitments.
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Adam Kendall, IWM Duxford
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Spitfire tribute
IWM Duxford
“Safety, whether in the air or on the ground, is foremost for us at the IWM Museum in Duxford.”
Nearly 40,000 visitors joined the event in Cambridgeshire as part of their Summer Airshow.
RAF pilot Mark Long died when his Spitfire crashed during an aerial display at RAF Coningsby where BBMF is based.
The 43-year-old was due to take over command at the memorial flight in the next flying season.
The Defence Accident Investigation Branch is investigating what caused the fatal accident.
Spitfires with D-Day markings
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The memorial flight will not take part in the D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations in Portsmouth and Normandy later this week due to the investigation.
An RAF Spokesperson said “As always, flight safety remains the RAF’s primary concern, therefore, BBMF flying will only resume when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
“As a result, regretfully, BBMF aircraft are not expected to be able to participate in the forthcoming D-Day 80 Commemorations over 5-6 June 2024.”
