Spitfire Support

Spitfire

Bill Plant is the 5th biggest and fastest growing driving school and specialist driver training company in the country.

Bill Plant Ltd is proud to support the Spitfire project to help educate all generations about the sacrifices made by current and former service personnel and linking its relevance to the present and the future.

Spitfire: Defender of the Skies

The legendary Spitfire is an iconic symbol of British aviation history. It remains one of the classic fighter aircraft of all time, and certainly one of the most instantly recognisable.

The magnificent thoroughbred fighting machine was one of the most famous British fighter aircraft of World War II.

More than 20,000 Spitfires in 40 modifications were built between 1936 and 1947. They served in every combat area, operating as fighters, fighter-bombers, reconnaissance aircraft and carrier-based fighters with the Royal Navy.

Today, a handful fly in the hands of private owners and with the Royal Air Force's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

This full size replica Supermarine Spitfire Mk.V has been lovingly built by members of Ripon Branch Royal British Legion, North Yorkshire.

It offers a unique hands-on experience for visitors who are invited to climb aboard, sit in the cockpit and feel what it was like to be a World War Two fighter pilot at the controls.

Facts and figures at a glance

  • It took around 7,000 voluntary hours over 11 months to painstakingly build the full sized replica.
  • Howard Whiting, Ripon Branch RBL chairman, came up with the idea to create a Spitfire one third original size but the project grew.
  • Using original blueprints, every single part of the aircraft was shaped by six volunteers from Ripon Branch RBL. The only exception was the canopy, which had to be manufactured by a company in Norfolk.
  • The replica cannot fly because it does not have an engine. The wings are detachable for ease of transportation.
  • The aircraft has been constructed in aluminium as close to the original drawings as possible.
  • It weighs the same as the original - 1.75 tonnes – with counter balance weights standing in for the engine.
  • During the 2nd World War, many fighter pilots dedicated their aircraft to a loved one.
  • This replica is named Irene after the late wife of one of the volunteer team who built her.

Funds raised from Irene's appearances at airshows up and down the country help the RBL support ex service personnel and their families.

Ripon Branch RBL and Bill Plant Ltd extends thanks to 100 Squadron at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, for providing facilities and permanent hangar storage.

The aircraft is available to hire for events and functions at a reasonable rate.

Public Showings

  • 8/9/10 July - Great Yorkshire Show, near Harrogate
  • 19/20 July - Masham Steam Rally, N Yorkshire
  • 26/27 July - Sunderland International Air Show, Tyne and Wear
  • 6/7/8 Sep - Southport Air Show, Merseyside

For further details email spitfire@billplant.co.uk or visit www.myspace.com/rblspitfireproject.

The Royal British Legion

Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion protects the interests, welfare and memory of British serving and ex-Service people and their dependants. Around 10.5 million people - of all ages - are eligible to approach the Legion for support. Its charitable work covers a range of services including grant-making to those in need, pensions and benefits advice, vocational assessment and careers advice, home and hospital visits as well as the provision of full nursing care.

For further information about the Legion’s work click the logo or email rbl-spitfire@hotmail.co.uk.