Spitfire roars over Southampton sites linked to famous plane - Video

The fly-past embraced several Spitfire-related sites in the city, including Southampton Airport, the grave of the aircraft's designer, and some of the places where the planes were built.

Southampton's Solent Sky Museum staged the event in conjunction with the World War Two airfield at Biggin Hill in Kent.

Spitfires played a vital role in the Battle of Britain, Hitler's attempt to destroy the RAF (Image: Martini archive)

After a brief stopover, the two-seater taxied towards the airport's western perimeter before turning onto the runway and taking off, followed by an Air Lingus jet shortly afterwards.

READ MORE: Spitfire to fly over Southampton on Sunday

The Spitfire was caught on camera as people across the city turned out to photograph and video the event.

The prototype's maiden test flight was conducted at what was then Eastleigh Aerodrome on March 5 1936, with Captain Joseph "Matt" Summers at the controls.

Following the eight-minute flight he famously told the ground crew: "Don't touch anything."

His remark has often been interpreted as meaning he thought the plane was perfect, but historians say he merely wanted to report his observations before any modifications were made.

The Spitfire was designed by R J Mitchell, who lived in Portswood (Image: Landmark Trust)

On June 3 1936 the Air Ministry placed an order for 310 Spitfires.

A total of 20,341 rolled off the production line between 1937 and 1947, more than any other British combat aircraft before or since.

In 1940 Spitfires and Hurricanes played a vital role in the Battle of Britain, Hitler's attempt to destroy the RAF and thus pave the way for a Nazi invasion.

Spitfires engaged German fighters while the slower Hurricanes tended to target the bombers.

As the battle raged a furious Hermann Göring called a meeting of Luftwaffe commanders and demanded to know what they needed to achieve victory. One of them replied: "A squadron of Spitfires."

The Supermarine factory at Woolston was bombed during the war (Image: Martini archive)

The aircraft was the brainchild of R J Mitchell, chief designer at Vickers Supermarine in Southampton.

The Woolston works were bombed in September 1940 with the loss of more than 100 lives. Production was hastily switched to other buildings in and around Southampton including laundries, bus depots, and garages.

Mitchell, who lived at Russell Place, Portswood, did not live to see his famous creation earn a unique place in the nation's affection.

He was diagnosed with cancer in 1933 and died four years later at the age of 42. He and his wife are buried at South Stoneham Cemetery.