Battle of Britain Memorial's replacement Spitfire

The replica of a Spitfire which flew in World War Two has been replaced after being damaged by Storm Ciaran last year.

The aircraft, which was identical to one which fought off the German Luftwaffe, had been a major attraction for two decades at the Battle of Britain Memorial site at Capel Le Ferne, near the white cliffs of Dover.

But, after being blown off its wheels in November 2023's high winds, it was deemed too costly to repair.

Now an identical replacement has been craned into place, in time for the memorial's public opening ahead of Remembrance Day.

The job of sourcing a replacement began, with funds being raised and a substitute model ordered from a specialist firm in Norfolk.

Jules Gomez, Battle of Britain Memorial's manager, said: "Unfortunately, when it arrived the weather had turned yet again and the driver who brought it here looked at the wet ground and decided he wasn't going to risk going any further."

As a result, the replica of the aircraft which had been flown by Flying Officer Jeffrey Quill AFC in 1940 had to be left in the car park until conditions improved.

Luckily, one the memorial's keen supporters had his own transport company and came to the rescue.

Using a 150-tonne crane he moved the aircraft safely on to its base.

"That's hopefully the first and last time that this replica will fly," Mr Gomez said.

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