40 minute Fly With a Spitfire Experience
Overview
Get up close to a Spitfire on ground and in flight as it appears as your wingman, and take an aerial tour of the Eyebrook Reservoir, practice site for the Dambuster raids, with this Fly Alongside a Spitfire - Dam Busters Tour.
Produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft, the Spitfire is a beacon of Britain’s aerial supremacy before, during and after the Second World War. You’ll get to see why from a seat on board a multi-seat, certified passenger aeroplane or helicopter as a Spitfire flies within smiling distance of your window. As you cruise along you’ll be able to take in breathtaking views of the Eyebrook Reservoir and the surrounding countryside, while the Spitfire manoeuvres around your plane with characteristic ease. Keep your camera to hand for some amazing air to air snaps!
Fancy an even closer view? Your experience includes an essential Ground Viewing with the Spitfire.
- SKU
- PSPFDB
- Locations
- 2 in the UK
- People
- For 1
- Validity
- 12 Months
- Rating
- 4.5 (4)
What's Included
- Fly with a WW2 Spitfire in close formation, in a multi-seat, certified passenger aircraft
- 40 minute flight experience (30 with the Spitfire) in the same airspace the Battle of Britain was fought
- Ground viewing with the Spitfire, directly after your flight
- Fly from former WW2 RAF airfields - Headcorn Aerodrome in Kent or North Weald Airfield in Essex
- Experience gift pack including personalised voucher and message card
What happens on the day?
On arrival at your chosen location, you’ll meet and greet the day’s pilots as well as some of your fellow passengers before climbing aboard your multi-seat, certified passenger aeroplane or helicopter.
During the 40 minute flight and once you’re up to cruising speed the Spitfire will join you for 30 minutes of flying alongside and manoeuvres, and you’ll be able to take some amazing photos of both the Spitfire, the Eyebrook Reservoir and the surrounding countryside as you pass by high in the sky.
Back on the ground you will have the opportunity to view the Spitfire as it sits on the airfield - another opportunity for some quality photos.
Spectactors are welcome with excellent viewing of the runway and aircraft available. There are also several facilities on-site including a car park, museum, cafe and bar.
Participant guidelines
- Minimum age: 12 (under 18’s need to be accompanied by a paying adult)
- Minimum height: 4ft 7in
- Maximum height: 6ft 3in
- Maximum weight: 15 stone
- There are no specific medical requirements but if in doubt please consult your doctor. You must be physically able to climb in and out of the aircraft
- Spectators are welcome, and facilities on site usually include the availability of hot drinks and snacks
- The experience content, equipment used and restrictions may vary according to location
Availability
Your voucher is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
This experience is available on selected dates throughout the flying season. Please note flying time in this classic aircraft is restricted to help preserve and maintain the aircraft, hence availability is strictly limited.
We recommend you book at least eight weeks in advance to ensure that dates are available. All bookings are subject to availability.
Please allow 2 hours for this experience - the flight itself will last approximately 40 minutes.
What about insurance?
The centres contracted with us hold public liability insurance. We also hold contingency liability cover. You will not be liable for accidental damage to equipment, except where damage has been caused as a result of recklessness or wilful negligence.
Please ensure you are familiar with the terms and conditions of the experience.
How it works
Customer Reviews
out of 5 stars
Based on 4 reviews
Find out what others have to say about this experience
5
Keith A
28/09/2021
Spitfire with helicopter flight
Overall this was a great treat, with an amazing experience of flying in a helicopter alongside the spitfire over the Thames. The helicopter pilot and staff at North Weald were excellent. However it is very expensive at over £800 and despite the Virgin experience site saying that you fly in a De Havilland Dove, you won't as it has been broken for over a year! Ad needs an update and it's probably a better view from the helicopter anyway. Also was subject to weather delay of 1 day.
out of 5 stars
Based on 4 reviews
Find out what others have to say about this experience
5
Alan Karbritz
06/05/2019
Birthday present from my daughter and son-in-law
The flight was even better than I was expcting. A really great experience.
out of 5 stars
Based on 4 reviews
Find out what others have to say about this experience
5
Chris
14/08/2017
An Awesome Day !
Well organised friendly atmosphere with like minded participants and staff. The day was well planned with minimal standing around. Guess we were lucky with the weather. Parky was great, chatty and inclusive. The flight on the Devon was an experience in it's self but when the Spitfire joined in it was just magical. Loads of photo opportunities with 30 minutes wing to wing (Gold Pack) with Parky indicating manouvers. Finally sitting in the Spitfire just rounded the experience off nicely.
out of 5 stars
Based on 4 reviews
Find out what others have to say about this experience
3
Andrew
24/10/2019
Rather disappointing
"Fly Alongside" not in former RAF de Havilland Devon - but in a 1980's commercial helicopter. Spitfire intended to be used for "fly alongside" out of action due to threadbare tyres - one and a half hour delay - and Spitfire eventually used for "fly alongside" was the two seater used for passenger flights - photo opportunities seriously devalued. Billed as a "Dam Busters Tour" - but no mention made of the Dam Busters during uninspiring in-fligh commentary. All in all, rather disappointing.
Locations
Locations shown shouldn't be used for route planning
South East
- Ashford, Kent
East of England
- Epping, Essex