Take an iconic fighter plane flying over Northamptonshire add an historic military passenger plane and you’ve got yourself a Castle Ashby Spitfire Tour! Departing from the lovely Art Deco-styled Sywell Aerodrome these Spitfire experiences will see you fly alongside the great Spitfire.
It’s a real honour to be an active part of these Spitfire flights out of iconic Sywell. As the World War Two fighter plane takes off you’ll be ready and waiting cruising over the Northamptonshire skies in your ex-RAF passenger plane. As the tension mounts your pilot will inform you whether it’ll be all eyes to the left or the right as the impressive Spitfire swoops alongside you.
It’ll catch your breathe that very first moment you look directly across to the formidable Spitfire. It seems almost within touching distance. A couple of seconds to gather your composure and it’s time to capture some of the finest photos ever as you take advantage of these amazing air-to-air photography opportunities.
And what a subject matter – this Mk IX Supermarine Spitfire is now in fine form after languishing unrestored in storage for many years. TD314 was built at Castle Bromwich in late 1944. After being sent to various squadrons around the UK she found herself assigned to the South African Air Force in 1948. Abandoned by 1954 she was bought in 1969 but stored until she resurfaced in the UK in 2009. Now fully rebuilt to her original splendour you might recognise this Sywell Spitfire as the cover star of the Haynes Spitfire Restoration manual!
As for where you’ll fly on this amazing experience you’ll be heading in a southerly direction right over the rather lovely Castle Ashby House and estate. The traditional seat of the Marquess of Northampton this private house and estate village is currently the home of the Earl of Compton. The gardens including a delightful walled garden are open to the public – but nothing beats the view as you look down on them Spitfire by your side. And as you return to Sywell you’ll be thinking what a superb backdrop Castle Ashby is for these Spitfire tour flights!
