Replacement Spitfire Replica Installed at Battle of Britain Memorial

A replica of a Spitfire, an aircraft that saw service in World War Two, has been installed at the Battle of Britain Memorial site in Capel Le Ferne, near the white cliffs of Dover. This replacement became necessary after the previous model was damaged by Storm Ciaran last year. The original replica, which mirrored an aircraft that engaged the German Luftwaffe, had been a significant attraction at the memorial for two decades. However, after being dislodged from its wheels by high winds in November 2023, it was determined that repairs would be too expensive. An identical substitute has now been craned into position, ready for the memorial’s public opening in advance of Remembrance Day. The process of finding a replacement began with fundraising efforts and the ordering of a new model from a specialist firm based in Norfolk. Jules Gomez, the Battle of Britain Memorial’s manager, described a setback during delivery: “Unfortunately, when it arrived the weather had turned yet again and the driver who brought it here looked at the wet ground and decided he wasn’t going to risk going any further.” As a result, the replica, which represents the aircraft flown by Flying Officer Jeffrey Quill AFC in 1940, had to be stored in the car park until conditions improved. Fortunately, a dedicated supporter of the memorial, who operates his own transport company, provided assistance. He used a 150-tonne crane to safely move the aircraft onto its designated base. “That’s hopefully the first and last time that this replica will fly,” Mr. Gomez remarked.