A flypast to remember the Few: Biggest display of wartime aircraft since WWII set to mark 75th anniversary of Battle of Britain – but Prince Harry gives up his seat to veteran after Spitfire breaks down

  • Around 40 Spitfires, Hurricanes and Bristol Blenheim bombers flew from Goodwood Aerodrome, West Sussex
  • Display was in tribute to Second World War pilots 'The Few' who valiantly halted Hitler's plans for German invasion
  • Prince Harry, who turns 31 today, was due to fly but gave up his seat after one Spitfire was left 'unserviceable'
  • It meant Battle of Britain pilot Tom Neil, 95, ex-Para Nathan Forster and wounded Corporal Alan Robinson could fly 

Prince Harry today sacrificed his chance to fly above southern Britain in the biggest display of wartime aircraft since the Battle of Britain to ensure an RAF veteran and two wounded servicemen could still take part in the 75th anniversary flypast.

The prince, who today celebrates his 31st birthday, had been due to join around 40 Spitfires, Hurricanes and Bristol Blenheim bombers as they flew in formation from Goodwood Aerodrome in West Sussex to key Second World War airfields such as Biggin Hill, Duxford, Northweald and Northolt.

The memorial event was to pay tribute to the gallant Few - so-called by wartime prime minister Winston Churchill - who secured the nation's freedom in the summer of 1940 by halting Hitler's plan for a German invasion.

But the royal, who was said to have been 'incredibly honoured' to be taking part, gave up his chance to fly in the vintage Spitfire after one of the four aeroplanes was left 'unserviceable'.

A spokesman for Harry said he stepped aside to ensure Battle of Britain pilot Tom Neil, 95 - the last surviving RAF 'ace' - could still take to the skies in the two-seater aircraft.

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Prince Harry today sacrificed his chance to fly above southern Britain in the biggest display of wartime aircraft since the Battle of Britain to ensure RAF veteran Tom Neil (pictured in the Spitfire) and two wounded servicemen (including Nathan Forster, left) could still take part

Prince Harry today sacrificed his chance to fly above southern Britain in the biggest display of wartime aircraft since the Battle of Britain to ensure RAF veteran Tom Neil (pictured in the Spitfire) and two wounded servicemen (including Nathan Forster, left) could still take part

The prince posed proudly with Mr Neil after he landed back at Goodwood Aerodrome in his Spitfire following the commemorative flypast

Prince Harry made the decision after one of the four original aircrafts was left 'unserviceable'. He wanted Mr Neil, as well as a wounded paratrooper and RAF Corporal, to fly instead
He was seen leaning on Mr Neil's walking stick (left and right) as he watched them set off

Prince Harry made the decision after one of the four original aeroplanes was left 'unserviceable'. He wanted Mr Neil, as well as a wounded paratrooper and RAF Corporal, to fly instead. He was seen leaning on Mr Neil's walking stick (left and right) as he watched them set off

After waving off the plane in which he was supposed to fly, Harry took a photograph on his mobile phone as it manoeuvred onto the grass runway. Later on, a group of children sung him 'Happy Birthday'

After waving off the plane in which he was supposed to fly, Harry took a photograph on his mobile phone as it manoeuvred onto the grass runway. Later on, a group of children sung him 'Happy Birthday'

Wing Commander Neil, who led the formation from the rear seat of a Spitfire, was a teenage trainee bank clerk when the war broke out

Wing Commander Neil, who led the formation from the rear seat of a Spitfire, was a teenage trainee bank clerk when the war broke out

The royal waved off the pilots before the flypast. The memorial event was to pay tribute to the gallant Few - so-called by wartime prime minister Winston Churchill - who secured the nation's freedom in the summer of 1940 by halting Hitler's plan for a German invasion

The royal waved off the pilots before the flypast. The memorial event was to pay tribute to the gallant Few - so-called by wartime prime minister Winston Churchill - who secured the nation's freedom in the summer of 1940 by halting Hitler's plan for a German invasion

Prince Harry, pictured at Goodwood Aerodrome prior to the event, gave his seat to former private Nathan Forster (second from left), who was injured in a bomb blast while serving with the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan in 2011

Prince Harry, pictured at Goodwood Aerodrome prior to the event, gave his seat to former private Nathan Forster (second from left), who was injured in a bomb blast while serving with the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan in 2011

He also wanted former paratrooper Nathan Forster and RAF corporal Alan Robinson - both of whom won places on Harry's own Spitfire scholarship programme for wounded servicemen - to be able to take part in the momentous occasion. 

Mr Forster, who suffered severe damage to his left leg in a bomb blast in Afghanistan, ended up flying in the PV202 instead of Harry. Corporal Robinson, an RAF aircraft technician from Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, who lost a leg in a motorbike accident, was also able to soar into the skies.

After allowing Mr Forster to board the aircraft, there were stirring scenes as Harry waved the flypast off from the grass, before proudly taking a photograph on his mobile phone.

As the plane manoeuvred onto the runway to take its place in the formation, Harry watched on, while leaning on a walking stick which Wing Commander Neil had asked him to look after.

There was also touching moment when a group of schoolchildren sang Happy Birthday to the Prince, who thanked them by smiling and waving back.

The flypast was particularly poignant for Wing Commander Neil, one of just a handful of surviving airmen from the Battle of Britain, who today led the formation from the rear seat of a Spitfire.

A teenage trainee bank clerk when the war broke out, he is the last surviving RAF ace  - which means he boasts more than five enemy kills - and has 140 missions, 14 downed enemy planes, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Air Force Cross to his name. 

Despite hundreds of his comrades perishing in action during the aerial combat, Wing Commander Neil - who flew both Hurricanes and Spitfires during the campaign - baled out just once during the battle's course after being pranged by his own commander over Kent.

He previously told how Britain won the battle because there was simply no other option. 'We never, ever, for one moment had the slightest doubt that we would win. Defeat just simply didn’t occur to us,’ he said.  

The biggest display of wartime aircraft since the Battle of Britain took to the skies across southern England this afternoon to mark the Battle of Britain's 75th anniversary

The biggest display of wartime aircraft since the Battle of Britain took to the skies across southern England this afternoon to mark the Battle of Britain's 75th anniversary

The display was initially put back amid poor weather conditions, but the Spitfires and Hurricanes finally took off at 2pm, before soaring over the skies of southern England

The display was initially put back amid poor weather conditions, but the Spitfires and Hurricanes finally took off at 2pm, before soaring over the skies of southern England

The vintage aircraft flew to key airfields used in the Second World War including Biggin Hill, Duxford, Northweald and Northolt

The vintage aircraft flew to key airfields used in the Second World War including Biggin Hill, Duxford, Northweald and Northolt

A hurricane (top) and a Spitfire (bottom) soar across the skies above Goodwood Aerodrome during today's momentous flypast 

A hurricane (top) and a Spitfire (bottom) soar across the skies above Goodwood Aerodrome during today's momentous flypast 

In total, around 40 aircraft - including Spitfires, Hurricanes and Bristol Blenheims from the UK, USA and Europe - took part in the event

In total, around 40 aircraft - including Spitfires, Hurricanes and Bristol Blenheims from the UK, USA and Europe - took part in the event

The Prince had earlier taken part in a briefing ahead of the flypast. Prior to the display, Harry had been stopped by a security vehicle as he attempted to cross the runway because of an incoming small aircraft

The Prince had earlier taken part in a briefing ahead of the flypast. Prior to the display, Harry had been stopped by a security vehicle as he attempted to cross the runway because of an incoming small aircraft

In the summer of 1940, after defeating the French, Hitler turned his attention across the Channel. Luftwaffe planes began air attacks in early July, hoping to seize control of the skies over England in preparation for a German invasion.

High above the sweeping countryside of Kent and Sussex, the nation's future was placed in the hands of a small band of young RAF pilots from Fighter Command. Some 3,000 of them fought - day-in, day-out - in the skies above southern England.

The pilots had just 15 seconds' worth of fire - which came in three-second bursts - to try and deliver fatal blows to the enemy, before they had to turn around and go home.  

Victory finally came on 15 September - now known as Battle of Britain Day - when the German Luftwaffe threw everything they had at the RAF to polish off Britain's last line of defence.  

But, despite being the largest and most concentrated attack against London, the RAF did not break and, instead, the day became a turning point in the conflict. Within 48 hours, Hitler's invasion plans had been shelved. 

The RAF’s contribution to the nation’s war effort led Churchill to famously remark: ‘Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few.’ 

David Cameron arrives at St Paul's

A service to commemorate the day - attended by David Cameron (right), Prince Edward and newly-elected Labour leader and Jeremy Corbyn (pictured left with his deputy Tom Watson) - was held at St Paul's Cathedral, London

The new Labour leader, who has questioned the role of the Armed Forces and has campaigned to scrap the UK's nuclear arsenal, also met David Cameron for the first time since his victory (pictured)

The new Labour leader, who has questioned the role of the Armed Forces and has campaigned to scrap the UK's nuclear arsenal, also met David Cameron for the first time since his victory (pictured)

Mr Corbyn, an anti-war rebel who has campaigned to scrap the UK's nuclear arsenal (pictured entering St Paul's), was among hundreds of people who packed into the cathedral for the service

Mr Corbyn, an anti-war rebel who has campaigned to scrap the UK's nuclear arsenal (pictured entering St Paul's), was among hundreds of people who packed into the cathedral for the service

Young RAF Cadets in their uniforms and berets lined the steps of the cathedral in London this morning ahead of the service

Young RAF Cadets in their uniforms and berets lined the steps of the cathedral in London this morning ahead of the service

Former RAF pilot Will Clark, 95, who flew Hurricanes in north Africa, received his campaign medals during today's service at St Paul's 

Former RAF pilot Will Clark, 95, who flew Hurricanes in north Africa, received his campaign medals during today's service at St Paul's 

Triumph against Hitler's seemingly unstoppable military power, however, came at a cost. In total, 544 lives were claimed from Fighter Command, while some 2,500 Germans were also killed. Scores more from Bomber Command and Coastal Command also died during the battle's darkest days.

The 75th anniversary has been particularly well-marked because it is likely to be the last major one at which surviving members of the pivotal conflict - who are now all aged well into their 90s - will be fit to take part. 

Mr Forster and Cpl Robinson have followed a similar flight training programme as Second World War pilots, progressing from a Tiger Moth to a Harvard and finally to the Spitfire itself, culminating in joining today's flypast.

The scholarship - inspired by the legendary pilot Douglas Bader who flew throughout Second World War in 20 aerial victories despite losing both his legs in 1931 - was established by the Boultbee Flight Academy. It is supported by the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince.

Prior to the display, Harry had been stopped by a security vehicle as he attempted to cross the runway because of an incoming small aircraft.

Security staff raced up to the Prince and asked the group to stop. They duly moved aside and waited for the plane, which landed a couple of minutes later. 

While the prince will be the most famous passenger on board, the bravest surely has to be Wing Commander Tom Neil, 95
The Battle of Britain Hurricane and Spitfire pilot who will lead the formation from the rear seat of a Spitfire

Wing Commander Tom Neil, 95, (pictured left during his service and right today) lead the formation from the rear seat of a Spitfire

The Hurricane and Spitfire pilot is pictured flying his Hurricane during the famous Battle Of Britain. He was shot down just once 

The Hurricane and Spitfire pilot is pictured flying his Hurricane during the famous Battle Of Britain. He was shot down just once 

Last year former Apache helicopter co-pilot Harry met pilots who were training for the event before himself flying in a two-seater Spitfire, getting the chance to take the controls himself.

Despite quitting the military after ten years and two tours of duty in Afghanistan back in June, Prince Harry has vowed to devote the rest of his life fighting for the rights of former servicemen and women.

He plans to work as a volunteer with the Personnel Recovery Unit of London District, where he will assist soldiers with their rehabilitation after being wounded or injured in service and continues to be closely involved in the Invictus Games, the hugely successful Paralympic-style event for injured service personnel he founded, which will be held in Orlando next year.

The prince has three official foreign tours planned before Christmas: a brief trip to Washington for meetings connected with Invictus and then a trip to Lesotho in southern Africa on behalf of his charity, Sentebale, followed by an official tour of South Africa on behalf of the British Government.

He will also continue to juggle a programme of royal duties, including several engagement associated with the Rugby World Cup in his role as Honorary President. 

Meanwhile, David Cameron and newly-elected Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn today attended a memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral, which was followed by a march past of about 75 standard bearers.

Mr Corbyn's attendance came after the anti-war rebel caused outrage by refusing to say if he will wear a red poppy on Remembrance Sunday because he is a pacifist. He also met with the Prime Minster for the first time since his election. 

BATTLE OF BRITAIN: HOW A BRAVE 'FEW' DEFENDED THE NATION FROM A POTENTIALLY 'FATAL' GERMAN INVASION 

In the summer of 1940, after Hitler's defeat of the French, the skies over the south of England became a battle ground as the Luftwaffe launched a war of attrition with the RAF.

Luftwaffe planes began air attacks in early July, hoping to seize control of the skies over England in preparation for a German invasion. The Luftwaffe began by attacking coastal shipping and dive-bombing ports, but in August, the Germans switched their tactics towards targeting the RAF directly.

Hermann Goering predicted that he could destroy the RAF within four days if he had clear weather and started pounding air strips across the south of England. 

Defending the nation: Some 3,000 airmen were scrambled to defend the shores of Britain -  taking to the skies in Spitfires and Hurricanes

Defending the nation: Some 3,000 airmen were scrambled to defend the shores of Britain - taking to the skies in Spitfires and Hurricanes

From August 13, the Germans sent a mixture of light, medium and dive bombers protected by fighters to attack the RAF. Fighter command responded by sending their force of Hurricanes after the bombers, while the Spitfires were ordered to patrol higher and engage the Luftwaffe's fighters.

On August 18, the Germans launched three major strikes during the day, looking to destroy the airfields at Kenley, Biggen Hill, Gosport, Ford, Thorney Island, Hornchurch and North Weald. 

High above the sweeping countryside of Kent and Sussex, the nation's future was placed in the hands of a small band of young RAF fighter pilots.

Some 3,000 airmen were scrambled to defend the shores of Britain in the battle - often taking to the skies in their Spitfires and Hurricanes three, four or five times a day. 

Day after day, the brave pilots fought off German forces, whose aircraft often outnumbered their own by five to one. 

And while many of the pilots were Britons defending their homeland, airmen from European countries including Poland and Belgian bolstered the numbers. 

The peak of the battle came on 15 September - now known as the Battle of Britain day - when the German Luftwaffe threw everything they had at the RAF to polish off Britain's last line of defence in the largest and most concentrated attack against London.

Under the force of the German bombardment, Britain's air defence bent but it did not break and the RAF claimed victory.  

Within 48 hours, Hitler postponed and then cancelled invasion plans, turning his attention to the defeat of the Soviet Union.

But their triumph came at a cost. Over the course of the summer, the RAF lost 1,012 aircraft and 544 RAF pilots compared with 1,918 German aircraft and more than 2,600 aircrew. 

Scores more from Bomber Command and Coastal Command died as the battle for national survival was waged in the skies during the dark days of the Second World War. 

Their bravery was recognised in a now immortal speech by prime minister Winston Churchill, who said: 'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few'. 

'The Spitfire cockpits were full of ghosts': Surviving airmen share their memories of the bloody campaign which changed the course of the Second World War

On the anniversary of the Battle of Britain, a conflict which changed the course of the Second World War, surviving members of the 'few' have shared their memories of the bloody battle.

Geoffrey Wellum, 93, who now lives in Mullion Cove, Cornwall, was a 19-year-old Spitfire pilot with 92 Squadron in 1940, and was credited with shooting down at least three enemy aircraft and damaging several others.

He remembers the 'awe-inspiring' sight of hundreds of planes, flying through the cloud above England, like 'gnats on a summer evening'.

'I was more afraid - more scared, more apprehensive, whatever you want to call it - of waiting; waiting at dispersal for that phone to ring,' he told BBC Radio 2's 'Battle of Britain at 75'.

'Somehow, once I got into the aeroplane, and I could feel the vibrations coming through, I felt part and parcel of it - I felt at one with my spitfire; we were partners.

Geoffrey Wellum, pictured left at Biggin Hill in 1941
Geoffrey Wellum, 93 (pictured speaking to the BBC) who now lives in Mullion Cove, Cornwall, was a 19-year-old Spitfire pilot with 92 Squadron in 1940, and was credited with shooting down at least three enemy aircraft

Geoffrey Wellum (pictured left at Biggin Hill in 1941 and right speaking to the BBC), who now lives in Mullion Cove, Cornwall, was a 19-year-old Spitfire pilot with 92 Squadron in 1940, and was credited with shooting down at least three enemy aircraft

'At the end of quite a busy day, coming back down to Biggin in the early dusk and seeing the smoke haze spread out before you, you felt a peace come over you; an unknown presence, as if there was somebody with you looking after you.'

But Mr Wellum said there were times when he realised it was 'bloody dangerous'. Describing the first time he engaged in the aerial battle, he said: 'Having got away with the first pass, I had to go back and do it again and I remember thinking: "These chaps mean business. They're not doing this for fun".'

Mr Wellum, who is vice-chairman of the Battle of Britain Association, also described how he mourned for his former colleagues when he saw 12 pairs of Spitfires take off at The Flying Legends Airshow. 

'I don't consider myself an emotional person but, watching those spitfires getting airborne, I felt a lump in my throat and I had to fight for self control because their cockpits were full of ghosts; old friends. So they were friendly ghosts.

'And as I watched those Spits getting airborne and getting into battle formation, I mourned those ghosts. They knew the odds.'

He added: 'I got away with it - I can't explain it. But fighter pilots know exactly what you mean.' 

Wing commander Tom Neil carried out dozens of missions during the Battle of Britain i
The 95-year-old carried out dozens of missions during the Battle of Britain in which he brought down 14 enemy planes. On one day, he claimed five confirmed kills

Wing commander Tom Neil, 95, (pictured left in 1941 and right at his home last year), carried out dozens of missions during the Battle of Britain in which he brought down 14 enemy planes. On one day, he claimed five confirmed kills

Wing commander Tom Neil, 95, who today leads the formation from the rear of a two-seater Spitfire, carried out dozens of missions during the Battle of Britain in which he brought down 14 enemy planes. On one day, he claimed five confirmed kills.

But despite taking off 157 times over 16 weeks, the former pilot - who wakes up at 4am every day - still wonders if he 'did enough' during the bloody campaign.

'I was deeply privileged to be involved in the Battle of Britain,' he told The Daily Telegraph. 'I’ve had a wonderful life: sometimes dangerous, interesting, delightful, even.

'But I’m an old gentleman now – always awake at 4am. Other people were deeply affected by the war and still wake up screaming, but that never happens to me. But sometimes I think: did I do enough?'

Wing Commander Neil described how as the young pilots started to eat breakfast, the scramble would begin. 'The bell would sound, and you had three minutes to get to your aircraft, get in and take off,' he said.  

Once in the air, they had just 15 seconds' worth of fire to try and deliver the fatal blows to the enemy.

The pilot is pictured on his wedding day with wife Eileen, whom he married in June 1945. She died last year 
Mr Neil with his first Tiger Mother trainer

Wing Commander Tom Neil is pictured on his wedding day with wife Eileen (left), whom he married in June 1945 and with his first Tiger Moth trainer (right)

Wing Commander Tom Neil is pictured fifth from left with his comrades, who saved the nation from Hitler's seemingly unstoppable power 

Wing Commander Tom Neil is pictured fifth from left with his comrades, who saved the nation from Hitler's seemingly unstoppable power 

Speaking to BBC Radio 2's 'The Battle of Britain at 75,' he said there was a certain amount of 'excitement' when you shot down the enemy.

'You didn't really feel personal animosity to the people you shot down - you never even saw the people, unless you bailed out, and then it became human - but mostly the aircraft landed 40 or 50 miles away and you heard detail of it sometimes later,' he said.

'Even the people that I was successful with during the war, it was only 50 years later I learned who they were - I never knew about it at the time.'

 Had we lost, it would have been fatal for Britain - the whole history of the world would've been changed
Wing Commander Tom Neil 

The pilots would be attacked from every direction, including sometimes from their own anti-aircraft flak. 

Despite this, Wing Commander Neil was forced to parachute just once, when the rear section of his Hurricane was knocked off in a mid-air collision with his own commander As his plane spun out of control, he managed to climb out and floated down into a wood in Maidstone. 

He woke up on the ground to see four pairs of shoes, two male and two female, and voices debating whether to ‘string him up’ because they thought he was German. Thankfully, army officers turned up and assured them he was English and he was spared.

During the spell of aerial fighting, the 95-year-old said he had just two fears: being burned in his plane, and drowning, knowing a Hurricane would 'sink like a stone' if hit over water.  

He told the Mail earlier this year that Britain won the battle because there was no other option. 'We never, ever, for one moment had the slightest doubt that we would win. Defeat just simply didn’t occur to us,’ he said.

Speaking to Radio 2, he added: 'If Germany had been able to invade Britain, we would have lost. We couldn't combat the enormous strengths of the German army - we didn't have the rudiments of an army. Had we lost, it would have been fatal for Britain - the whole history of the world would've been changed.'  

Battle of Britain Hurricane pilot Tony Pickering (pictured) described how important it was for the pilots to work together as a team, keeping 'discipline' at the forefront of their minds at all time

Battle of Britain Hurricane pilot Tony Pickering (pictured) described how important it was for the pilots to work together as a team, keeping 'discipline' at the forefront of their minds at all time

Wing Commander Neil met his wife, WAAF officer Eileen Hampton, at Biggin Hill and they married in June 1945. Eileen, with whom he had three sons, two of whom went on to become pilots, died last year.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after his five ‘kills’ in September 1940 and went on to win another the following month.

Battle of Britain Hurricane pilot Tony Pickering described how important it was for the pilots to work together as a team, keeping 'discipline' at the forefront of their minds at all time.  

 I got away with it - I can't explain it. But fighter pilots know exactly what you mean
Geoffrey Wellum 

'Somewhere in my logbook it said "slightly overconfident" - I think they got the impression that I was going to take on the German air force by myself,' he said.

'But you got attacked and you lost your over-confidence fairly quickly.'

On September 11 1940, the pilot's Hurricane was hit by return fire from a bomber he was attacking. He baled out, 'slightly scorched' and landed in the Guards’ Depot, Caterham.

'They destroyed my engine and all the oil and everything poured away. It was a case of getting out or going down with an aircraft in flames and, well, you didn't' want that,' he said.  

'I remember in combat you'd hear someone shouting: "Get out you silly B, get out!". But if you were injured, of course it wasn't easy. It was all very well telling them to get out but if you were injured, it wasn't possible.'

  • This Friday, Geoffrey Wellum, Tom Neil and will be part of BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night Is Music Night Special: The Battle of Britain At 75. You can listen live on Radio 2, watch live on BBC Red Button or experience in surround sound at your local cinema. To find out more, visit www.bbc.co.uk/radio2

SPITFIRES, HURRICANES AND BLENHEIMS: HISTORY OF AIRCRAFT THAT TOOK TO THE SKIES IN TODAY'S FLY-PAST

Military history: A Hurricane and Spitfire at the flypast today to commemorate the Battle of Britain 

Military history: A Hurricane and Spitfire at the flypast today to commemorate the Battle of Britain 

The Spitfire 

When Luftwaffe commander Hermann Göring asked his flying ace Adolf Galland what he needed to win the Battle of Britain, he replied: 'A squadron of Spitfires.'

Capable of reaching speeds of up to 378mph, the plane was so feared by the Luftwaffe that many Nazi crews claimed to have been shot down by one when they had really been downed by the slower, more numerous, Hurricane.

More than 20,000 Spitfires were built in 24 different marks. The aircraft first flew in the RAF in 1938 and was retired by 1957 and its designer, RJ Mitchell, only lived long enough to see the prototype fly in 1937. 

The first plane shot down by a Spitfire was an RAF Hurricane in 1939 in a friendly fire incident known as the Battle of Barking Creek.

Spitfires were occasionally painted pink to blend in with the sunset and sunrise when used for low-level reconnaissance flights.  

The Hurricane

While the Spitfire is the aircraft most associated with the Battle of Britain, without the Hawker Hurricane, the RAF would have probably lost the fight, because there were simply not enough Spitfires emerging from the aircraft factories and into the squadrons.

In the national struggle for survival, the older and slower Hurricane dominated the front line. 

According to the Air Ministry's own figures, for every two Luftwaffe planes brought down by the Spitfires, three were shot down by Hurricanes.

Once the Hurricane had made a successful first flight on November 6, 1935 - five months ahead of the Spitfire's first trip - the Air Ministry relented and placed an order for 600. 

The first operational Hurricanes went into service with 111 Squadron in December 1937, just as the drumbeat of war was echoing across Europe.

Altogether, 14,533 Hurricanes were built, the last in August 1944.

The Bristol Blenheim 

The Bristol Blenheim is a British light bomber aircraft that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War.

It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter.

The Blenheim units operated throughout the Battle of Britain, often taking heavy casualties, although they were never accorded the publicity of the fighter squadrons. 

The Blenheim units raided German occupied airfields throughout July to December 1940, both during daylight hours and at night. Although most of these raids were unproductive, there were some successes, including August 1 when five out of 12 Blenheims were able to bomb during a mission to Brussels. Other operations had a 100 per cent casualty rate.  

 

 

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