A Spitfire which flew from RAF Woodvale near Southport during World War II will enjoy a starring role at the 2022 Southport Air Show this weekend.
Supermarine Spitfire BM597 saw wartime service with both 315 & 317 Polish Squadrons operating from RAF Woodvale.
It is believed that BM597 is the only airworthy Spitfire to still carry its wartime Polish markings. After the war, having spent time as a Gate Guardian at various Royal Air Force stations, ‘597 was used for the master moulds for replica Spitfires for the iconic 1969 Battle of Britain movie, with stars including Edward Fox, Michael Caine, Sir Laurence Olivier, Robert Shaw, Ian McShane and Christopher Plummer.
This Saturday and Sunday (9th and 10th July 2022), Spitfire BM597 will join an impressive line-up which also includes: the Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, The Blades aerobatic team, The Black Eagles Aerobatic Display Team, the Typhoon, the Tigers Army Parachute Display Team and more.
Tickets are available here – if you buy online you get to avoid the queues.
Under-16s are free and if you are on a tight budget then pack a picnic for the beach.
The action isn’t simply in the air – there is lots to see and do on the ground too. The Air Show Military Village will be in full swing over the weekend with members of the armed forces showing off equipment and answering questions from anyone interested in a career in uniform.
Next to the military village will be ‘Lucy’, a replica Spitfire from Lytham St Annes, with re-enactors showing what life was like in the Battle of Britain.
Other attractions on the beach include mini tanks, bungee trampolines, land zorbs, bumper cars, simulators and a paintball range.
Spitfire BM597 is flown by Dave Harvey as part of the Polish Heritage Flight. He is pictured at the Courage and Devotion exhibition at The Atkinson in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Spitfire BM597 will be a truly special sight as she flies above Southport.
Today she flies as part of the Polish Heritage Flight which was formed on 11th November 2019 as part of the Historic Aircraft Collection based at the Imperial War Museum Duxford. The project aims to bring to life the stories of the people that came to the ‘Island of last hope’ to take up the fight in The Battle of Britain and throughout the Second World War.
Spitfire BM597 is flown by Dave Harvey who has 35 years’ service with the RAF, amassing over 7,800 hours in the F4 Phantom, Tornado F3, Hawk and Tutor.
Originally built at Castle Bromwich, Spitfire MkVb BM597 was delivered to RAF Burtonwood on the 26th of February 1942. It was assigned to 315 (City of Dęblin) Polish Fighter Squadron at RAF Woodvale on the 7th May 1942 and on the 5th September 1942 passed on to 317 (City of Wilno) Sqn, also flying from RAF Woodvale. which had opened in 1941 as a fighter airfield to defend Liverpool and Bootle Docks after the devastation of the May Blitz.
After the Second World War BM597 was allocated as the gate guardian for RAF Hednesford (1950 -1955), RAF Bridgenorth (1955 – 1960) and finally RAF Church Fenton (1960 – 1989).
In 1967 it was taken to Pinewood Studios to have fibreglass copies taken from it which would be used as master moulds for replica aircraft used in the acclaimed Battle of Britain movie.
It returned to Church Fenton until it was recovered by the founder of Historic Flying Ltd, Tim Routsis,who agreed terms with the RAF that would see the aircraft fully restored to airworthy condition and returned to its original flying colours of 317 Sqn.
Those who have piloted BM597 in the past include Squadron Leader Ludwik Martel, Squadron Leader Tadeuz Anderz and Squadron Leader Fransizeck Kornicki. Their signatures can be found on the inside of the cockpit door which they left on the occasion that they were reunited with their old Spitfire.
This amazing aircraft is a living piece of the North West’s history and has a very special connection to RAF Woodvale. Flying once more over the skies of Southport, it will be a magical and poignant moment to see ‘The Defender Return’.
The aircraft sports green and brown camouflage, 317 Squadron markings and Squadron badge and carrying code letters: JH – C
Spitfire BM597 is flown by Dave ‘Harvs’ Harvey as part of the Polish Heritage Flight. Dave has flown with the Historic Aircraft Collection since 2007. He served 35 years in the RAF and has amassed 7800 hours flying in the F4 Phantom, Tornado F3, The Hawk & Tutor. He was the RAF solo Hawk display pilot for three seasons and has also flown the T33 silver Star and F86A Sabre from Duxford.
For more information visit www.Southportairshow.com or call the ticket hotline 03445611816.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
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