To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain last year, local experience days business IntoTheBlue.co.uk teamed up with Biggin Hill based aviation historian Robin Brooks to produce a video piece on the iconic Supermarine Spitfire.
Presented by Brooks – the author of Kent and the Battle of Britain – the 5 minute production details the aircrafts initial inception from creator RJ Mitchell, its production at Castle Bromwich, and the role it played in the Battle of Britain. Specifically it highlights the significance the aircraft had for the defence of Biggin Hill Airport and the protection it offered the community that surrounds it. Of particular focus is the Spitfire’s head to head battle with the German Messerschmitt 109s, and the superior engineering that gave the RAF key advantages over the Luftwaffe. As Brooks eloquently puts, the battle between the two fighter planes was ‘quite possibly the Spitfires finest hour’.
After delving into the aircrafts rich history, the narrative begins to focus on the return of the Spitfire to the skies in more recent times, and also its rise in popularity. This includes the hard work and dedication of restoration enthusiasts based in, among other places, Biggin Hill – who have brought back to life both one and two seat Spitfires.
Interviewed in the film is two seater Spitfire Pilot Don Signournay, who explains that the credit for this belongs to ‘the enthusiast that have kept these planes flying, and in the air where they should really be’. The success in restoring these historic planes, and the change in the Civil Aviation Authority regulations, has allowed the public to experience the aircraft both in its natural habitat in the air and in the form of hangar tours. Aviation aficionado Andrew Porter, whose spitfire experience features in the film, says of his flight in the aircraft: ‘I am choked up…it’s amazing to think they flew off to war, and some of them didn’t come back.’
The video is available for viewing using the below link.
https://www.intotheblue.co.uk/flying-experiences/ww2-planes/spitfire-flights/
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Why are you consulting ALL of Bromley, many will have NO contact with Biggin Hill. You havnt consulted me. I live in Bexleyheath, under the flight path to Biggin Hill.
You could have replied to the consultation. It was widely advertised and open to all not just Bromley residents.
Yes, but as I recall the consultation document was heavily skewed. Tick here if you’re a go-ahead sensible person who’d like this to happen. Or tick here if you’re a halfwit who’d like to throw away all those nice jobs and silent running planes.
I hate to tell you this…… but told ya so.
Money talks… bull$hit walks.
So Dear Stephen, having shot his mouth off a couple of months ago by saying that he thinks that Wibil’s plan is “very exciting”, and admitting at this meeting that he does “……not have first hand knowledge” now gives his casting vote in favour. Oh WHAT a surprise.
No casting vote was used, by Cllr Carr or anyone. Don’t deceive
If votes are tied, the Chairman gives the casting vote. That is what happened here.
Of course the long standing convention in this country is that if there is no majority for change, the Chair votes in favour of the status quo, but the man who does not wear protective headgear on a building site broke with convention & voted in favour of change instead.
Now you lie. There was no tied vote and no casting vote was needed or used. You must be a clear anti because many of them are liars and it’s clearly infective.
Bad decision, but great rolling news coverage from NS. So the majority who aren’t under the flight paths heap more misery on those who are – nice.
Great decision. Good news for the Borough, for the economy, for Britian and most importantly for all residents including those under the flight path. The deal involves less noise, better flight routings, less overall flights, quieter ground running and much better monitoring. It’s Win Win Win. What’s more disturbing is that 25 Councillors (all Conservative) choose to vote against (22) or abstain(3). Do they not want the borough to prosper?
Perhaps they don’t want the borough bricked over & polluted with noise?
PS What is “Britian”?
A flawed survey, bussed in rent-a-mob by BHAL, and no doubt money changing hands somewhere. Bromley Council up to their usual tricks that will no doubt be repeated with the current review of Library provision.
The old brown envelope trick, it works every time. You could of bet your bollix this was always going to pass.
As a resident of Biggin Hill who has lived within 400 yds of the end of the runway for over 30 years I am quite happy with the new proposals. When I moved here I did notice the airport and expected some noise. In practice I rarely hear aircraft so I don’t see the odd aircraft movement earlier or later making any difference. The possibility of extra jobs ensuring a future thriving community probably will be noticed though.
Last edited: 4:36pm Thu 26 Nov 15
Erm, this may come as a shock to you, but aircraft don’t just fly over places near the runway, they fly over other peoples homes several miles away as well.
You chose to live near the airport, the rest of us did not.
Thank goodness this is over.
Now residents can get some long-overdue improvements and safeguards.
For too long Flightpath has stirred up residents into shouting a noisy “NO” to any Lease changes – even when it became clear that the Lease was failing to protect residents and that ONLY a re-negotiated Lease could provide residents with better protection.
The new Lease is supposed to have at least 18 new clauses dealing with things like:
– Actual flightpath
– Limiting noisy and large jets
– Installing noise-monitoring equipment
– Managing passenger numbers
– Differential fees/penalties for larger or noisier aircraft
And, as reported by the NS, Councillors debated the level of fines for breaches such as arriving late.
Currently there is nothing worse than a stern letter from the Council !!!
As long as the new controls are applied, then hopefully fewer people will “notice” the Airport at all.
Last edited: 1:17pm Fri 27 Nov 15