Spitfire lands at Prestwick airport as UK marks 90 years since historic flight

A piece of British aviation history touched down in Scotland on Friday, as a commemorative Spitfire flight arrived at Glasgow Prestwick as part of a nationwide 90th anniversary tour.

The iconic aircraft, a two-seat Spitfire painted in the colours of the original prototype K5054, is retracing key locations linked to its remarkable legacy.

The tour, running from April 7 to 17, is being supported by the Royal Air Force.

Its visit to Leuchars on Wednesday, part of a nationwide series of flights, was the first Scottish highlight of the tour.

The Spitfire departed RAF Lossiemouth at 10am on Friday, and during the flight, K5054 met up with two RAF Typhoons before arriving at Prestwick around 11am.

The aircraft met up with two RAF Typhoons. STV News

Each leg of the journey represents a decade of the aircraft’s service, celebrating its enduring role as a symbol of British aviation and wartime history.

Originally taking to the skies on March 5, 1936, the first Spitfire flight lasted just eight minutes. Despite the short journey, test pilot Joseph “Mutt” Summers famously remarked afterwards, “Don’t change a thing.”

The aircraft would go on to become one of the most recognisable fighters of the Second World War.

Seats in the aircraft are being auctioned online, with successful bidders able to join the pilot for one leg of the journey.

The Spitfire originally took to the skies in 1936 STV News

Funds raised will support two aviation charities: the Mark Long Trust, which provides flying opportunities for disabled people, and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, which assists serving personnel, veterans and their families.

The next flight will take off from Prestwick on April 13 at around 10am, flying for just over an hour down to RAF Valley in Wales accompanied by a Hawk T2 Jet as an escort.