The organisers are very excited to be able to include the Welsh Dragon Spitfire in this weekend’s programme of displays and celebratory entertainment. At 14:30 on Saturday 30th April this original 1940s fighter plane will perform a dramatic display above the famous River Mersey!
Privately owned by Anthony Hodgson, Spitfire PT462 was built at the Vickers Supermarine Castle Bromwich factory. This Mark IX aircraft is judged by many to be the best of all. PT462 was delivered to RAF Colerne in Wiltshire in July 1944, serving in action with 253 Squadron. After war service in France, Yugoslavia and Italy, PT462 was sold in 1952 to the Israeli Air Force. Converted into a two-seater during rebuild, this Spitfire took to the air once again in 1987 and was purchased by Anthony ten years later.
Anthony learned to fly at Liverpool Airport in the 1970s and operates from a sloping grass airstrip at Bryn Gwyn Bach near Denbigh.
Such historic flights are rare, with few remaining Spitfires in airworthy condition. Event Organisers express gratitude on behalf of the people of Liverpool for helpful assistance from the CAA and Liverpool John Lennon Airport for regulatory approval.
Quite a crowd is expected along the Liverpool waterfront. Weather permitting, the Liver Birds will hear the roar of that Merlin engine as the 67 year old Spitfire pays its own tribute to the May Blitz and the Spirit of Liverpool.
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