Southampton, birthplace of the iconic Spitfire, will mark the British fighter aircraft’s 90th anniversary with a series of commemorative events, exhibitions and flypasts in 2026.
Designed in the city by local engineer R. J. Mitchell, the prototype Spitfire – known simply as K5054 – made its maiden flight from Eastleigh Aerodrome (now Southampton Airport) on the 5th of March 1936. Test pilot Joseph ‘Mutt’ Summers completed the historic eight-minute flight marking a special moment in aviation history.
Ninety years later, the aircraft now synonymous with the Battle of Britain and the huge role it played in the Second World War, will be celebrated with activities in the city including:Â
Spitfire Flight Tour, April
The Royal Air Force and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight are supporting a special UK tour by a two-seat Spitfire painted in the colours of the original K5054 prototype. In April, the aircraft will undertake nine commemorative flights between airfields connected with the Spitfire’s history, starting and ending at Southampton Airport. Members of the public can bid for the chance to take part in one of the flights, with seats being auctioned to raise funds for the Mark Long Trust and the RAF Benevolent Fund, while modern RAF aircraft will accompany the Spitfire during parts of the tour to highlight the evolution of RAF aviation. https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/spitfire-flights-mark-90th-anniversary-of-first-flight/
Commemorative plaque at Southampton Airport
Visitors to Southampton also have the chance to see two commemorative plaques located inside the airport terminal. The first honours the thousands of men and women from across the region who designed, built, repaired and supplied the aircraft before and during the Second World War. While the second officially accredits Southampton Airport as the birthplace of one of history’s most influential aviation achievements. For more information: https://www.southamptonairport.com/news/media-centre/2026/southampton-airport-marks-90-years-of-the-spitfire-with-dual-plaque-unveiling/
SeaCity Museum hosts Spitfire display – until end of September
Southampton’s SeaCity Museum, which charts the maritime heritage of the destination, will mark the Spitfire’s milestone year with a special display about the workers at the Supermarine factory in Woolston who helped build the aircraft. The information panels will be exhibited in the museum’s foyer until the end of September. For more information www.seacitymuseum.co.uk
Marathon Weekend Fly Past on 3rd May
Runners taking part in the ABP Southampton Marathon and the supporting crowds will be treated to an eight-minute aerial Spitfire display on Sunday 3 May ahead of the start of the race. The airborne spectacle (by an original 1942 Supermarine Spitfire, the RR232) will take place at 8.30am over the port’s Dock Gate 8. https://www.southamptonmarathon.co.uk/
Anniversary sailings on the SS ShieldhallÂ
Southampton’s heritage steamship SS Shieldhall will be marking the 90th anniversary of the Spitfire with new commentary about the aircraft as part of the vessel’s special sailings which take place along the Solent and Southampton Water. The volunteer-led charity is also offering a bespoke ‘In the Footsteps of the Spitfire’ Southampton tour for interested groups which will explore the city’s connections to the aircraft both on land and sea. Tour options include a guided visit to the Solent Sky Museum to learn about the Spitfire’s designer, the protypes and aircraft, a guided walk through Woolston, the former home of the Supermarine Spitfire Factory, followed by tour and cruise aboard the SS Shieldhall along Southampton Water. Prices from £45pp. For more information and to book www.ss-shieldhall.co.ukÂ
Walking Tours Programme
Experience Hampshire offers a fascinating 2-hour In the Footsteps of the Spitfire guided tour, focused on the wider role Southampton played in the Second World War including the establishment of the Spitfire ‘Shadow’ factories (£15pp). Participants will discover the background to the story and how the Air Ministry ordered 310 Spitfires from Southampton’s Supermarine factory in Woolston. By 1940 the production was at full swing, but during a devasting Blitz on the city in September 1940, the factory was destroyed with 110 lives lost. To keep production going, requisitioned spaces like laundries and bus stations became the factories and eventually, 8,000 Spitfires were built in pieces and assembled throughout Southampton, involving a huge number of local workers and women during the challenging wartime conditions.
The tour starts at the Woolston Millenium Garden near the old factory site and finishes outside The Victoria pub in Woolston to admire the new mural painted on the side of the pub to commemorate the Spitfire and its links to the city. For more information and to book:Â www.experiencehampshire.uk
Southampton’s regular weekend guided walking tours which take place every Saturday and Sunday (£12.50pp) will also feature anecodotes and information about the 90th anniversary of the maiden Spitfire flight on their weekend rota walks. The itinerary will also include a visit to some of the underground vaults that doubled as air raid shelters during WWII and when, between 30th November and 1st December 1940 the Supermarine Spitfire Factory was destroyed in a huge bombing raid. For more information about timings and to book a tour visit www.seesouthampton.co.uk
Solent Sky Museum
The permanent ‘home’ of the anniversary is the Solent Sky Museum. The Solent region was the centre of aviation research and development between 1910 and 1960 and Solent Sky houses over 20 aircraft from the golden age of aviation. Run by a team of dedicated volunteer enthusiasts, visitors to the museum can see up close an official K5054 prototype replica as well as take in the Supermarine and RJ Mitchell displays (tickets: £14 adult £10 child, £30 family). For more information https://www.solentsky.org
South Hampshire Armed Forces hosts three-day Spitfire event at Eastleigh 27-28th June
Celebrating its proximity to the Spitfire’s first flight at Eastleigh Aerodrome (now Southampton Airport), Eastleigh Football Club (fittingly known as the spitfires) is staging a two-day festival to mark the anniversary milestone. Coinciding with Armed Forces Day, the event is being organised by South Hampshire Armed Forces, and exhibits will include a replica Spitfire, military vehicles display, live music and family activities. https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/event/south-hampshire-armed-forces-day/
For information about other events and places to stay in the city www.visitsouthampton.co.uk
