A group of pilots and two ground
staff walk the Battle of Britain flight line in a rare, brief
hiatus between German raids. They inspect the aircraft and
prepare notes awaiting the sound of the bell. This scene pays
tribute to all those who heroically took part in the Battle of
Britain in 1940.
The
aircraft in the background is a Hawker Hurricane, one of the
10 that are currently airworthy in the UK. Hawker Hurricane
Mk.I G-ROBT Serial Number P2902 was built in 1939 by Gloster
Aircraft and saw action during Operation Dynamo in Dunkirk,
where it was shot down by enemy aircraft. The Hurricane
remained buried on the beach until 1988 when it was recovered
by a French enthusiast. After a lengthy restoration it is now
operated by Anglia Aircraft Restorations Ltd.
The
re-enactors are part of the ‘Spirit of Britain group who
reconstruct the past, specialising in the period between 1900
and 1950. They aim to portray the life, during peace and war,
of British citizens in a variety of roles, from delivery
drivers in a local town to soldiers on active service in
foreign lands. |
