Southampton Spitfire flyover weather forecast for March 5

The event will mark 87 years to the day since the first flight of the prototype of the legendary aircraft, synonymous with Southampton. 

Designed by Portswood’s R J Mitchell, tested at the airport in Eastleigh and mass-produced at a factory in Woolston, the Spitfire is the most famous of any World War Two aircraft.

Known for its distinctive Merlin engine, it is also hailed for its major role in Britain’s efforts to fight off the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.

The Spitfire will fly over Southampton very briefly on Sunday, March 5 (Image: John Scamel/Daily Echo/Camera Club)

Southampton weather forecast for Spitfire Sunday flyover

The weather forecast in Southampton for Sunday, March 5 is as follows, according to the Met Office:

• 6 am: Overcast, 10% chance of rain, 4C
• 9 am: Overcast, 10% chance of rain, 5C
• 12 pm: Overcast, 10% chance of rain, 6C
• 3 pm: Overcast, 10% chance of rain, 6C
• 6 pm: Overcast, 10% chance of rain, 5C
• 9 pm: Overcast, 10% chance of rain, 4C

Overall, the weather conditions are not the most ideal, but visibility should still hold out to see the Spitfire.

When will the Spitfire be seen over Southampton?

A spokesman for organisers Solent Sky Museum told the Daily Echo that the Spitfire will take off from the Heritage Hangar at Biggin Hill in Kent in time to carry out a low pass along the runway at Southampton Airport, where the first Spitfire took off in 1936, at approximately 4 pm.

The aircraft will then follow the River Itchen towards Southampton Docks, passing over many of the sites where the Spitfire was built during the Second World War.

It will give a final nod to designer R.J.Mitchell, who is buried at South Stoneham Cemetery, before returning to the Battle of Britain airfield.

The Spitfire will only be seen in the skies above Southampton for a few minutes