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Spitfire flight marks 75th anniversary in Southampton

A Spitfire has been flown over Southampton in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the first test flight of the world famous aircraft in the city.

Carolyn Grace, 58, thought to be the world's only female Spitfire pilot, gave the public a view of her plane over Southampton Water earlier.

Later, she flew the Spitfire around a lap of Southampton International Airport to recreate the test flight.

The airport, then Eastleigh airfield, was the setting for the 1936 event.

The aircraft was designed by RJ Mitchell at Supermarine's factory in Southampton.

He died of cancer aged 42 in 1937, never seeing the aircraft go on to become one of the iconic planes of World War II, helping to win the crucial Battle of Britain....
Read entire article at BBC