Spitfire replica to take pride of place on Armed Forces Day
It will stand proud on Scarborough seafront next month
A life-size replica of Britain’s most famous wartime aircraft will stand proud on Scarborough seafront as pilots take to the skies to celebrate Armed Forces Day later this month.
Thousands of people are expected to visit the North Yorkshire resort to show their support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, from currently serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets.
The event takes place on June 28. It starts at 11am with a welcome from the Scarborough Town Crier and runs through until 5pm.
North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “We should rightly recognise the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces personnel and their families, and nowhere more so than in North Yorkshire.
“Armed Forces Day provides us with both an opportunity to look back and pay tribute to those who gave their lives to defend the freedoms we all enjoy on a daily basis, but also enables us to show gratitude for the roles our soldiers, sailors and airmen are currently playing around the world to keep people safe.”
One of the main attractions of this year’s event is being created by local arts organisation, Animated Objects.
The replica Mk1 Spitfire is inspired by aircraft that featured in the Battle of Britain and is being constructed to match the dimensions and design of the original.
The artistic director of Animated Objects, Lee Threadgold, said: “The Spitfire is by far one of the most ambitious projects we’ve ever undertaken.
“It’s such a landmark piece of engineering and aviation history that people recognise every curve and facet of the aircraft at first sight and it’s our job to ensure we recreate that faithfully for visitors to the Armed Forces Day event in Scarborough.”
North Yorkshire Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Kevin Foster, said he was proud of Scarborough’s involvement in the annual day.
“Our county is home to a great many serving and former service personnel and their families, and it is fitting that we hold such a prestigious event in their honour each year,” said Cllr Foster.
“Speaking with our soldiers, I know how important events like this are to them and their families.
“In times such as those we are currently living in, the importance of our Armed Forces is brought into sharp focus and it is right we recognise the crucial role the play.”