Your chance to fly alongside BM597 Mk Vb Spitfire from the Historic Aircraft Collection

The Supermarine Spitfire has to be one of the most iconic fighter aircraft of all time, with its remarkable service during the Second World War, the Reginald J Mitchell designed plane has a very special place in the hearts of aviation enthusiasts the world over.

It’s little wonder then, given Into the Blue’s heritage with sister company Air Displays International which organises the Biggin Hill airshow, that we are really very excited about our two new Spitfire experiences giving you the chance to get up close and personal with our genuine Spitfire flights. From your bird’s eye view in a luxury helicopter, you will fly level with the magnificent BM597 Spitfire and enjoy your own personal flying display over the historic Battle of Britain coastline of Kent.

And no, this is not a replica Spitfire. It’s a 1942 Mk Vb version of the Spitfire with the livery of the 317 Polish Wilenski squadron, which is lovingly kept by the Historic Aircraft Collection.  Since leaving the factory in Castle Bromwich, she has given years of faithful service to several squadrons including 315 and 317 squadrons, before going tech with Cat B damage in February 1943.

BM597 was repaired and went back in to active service including an undisclosed mission for Vickers Armstrong, before heading off to St Athen and then being stationed at Hednesford, Bridgenorth, Henlow and Church Fenton via Pinewood studios to act as a mould model for the replica Spitfires used in the film ‘Battle of Britain’.

Walk up to the plane, meet the pilot and take part in your own Spitfire photocall with the Platinum Spitfire experience

Since 1993 the Historic Aircraft Collection has looked after BM597 and she now enjoys semi-retirement flying in memorial flights and air displays. Our Gold and Platinum experiences are quite pricey, but with a very full and exclusive itinerary on offer, this really is a once in a lifetime chance to enjoy a real closeness in the air with this magnificent flying machine.

You could be yelling 'I'm An Into The Blue Customer Let Me Jump Out Of This Plane' in a celebrity in the jungle style

We can’t believe it’s that time of year again already - what with the X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing, we’ve now got I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here to watch as well - perhaps just as well staying in is clearly the new going out with all this classic telly viewing to be had.

There’s nothing like watching a Z lister squirm as they’re facing their fears in the jungle and the tensions mounted from the word go this year with three of the contestants having to parachute into camp. From really quite high up. In fact, 12000ft high up. So little wonder that poor little ex-Eastenders actress Lucy Benjamin looked terrified even though she had the guts to shoot Phil Mitchell!

Joining her in the jump plane was Sabrina Washington (whoooooooooo?) and one half of bickering telly interior design duo, Colin McAllister. And if you fancy making a bit of an entrance like these three celebrity jungle inhabitants, Into the Blue has none different venues around the UK offering either tandem freefall parachute jumps or static line jumps. Prices for jumps start at £175.

Into the Blue customer David contacted us recently to let us know just how much he enjoyed flying in not one, but two vintage biplanes in Gloucestershire.

Enjoy the thrill of vintage biplane flying in Gloucestershire with Into the Blue

It seems conditions were perfect for a late autumn day of open cockpit flying with David commenting: “The Tiger Moth flight was great fun. The view from the open cockpit was fabulous, especially when we cruised past a pair of eagles soaring nearby.”

But this flight wasn’t just about the thrill of being in a 1940s Tiger Moth, this was a high-thrills aerobatic flight as David enthuses: “My first loop ever in a biplane with an open cockpit and the world went spinning around but by time we got to the third I could follow what the pilot was doing and enjoy the aerobatics. We even did some rolls and steep stall turns which all feel very quick and seem to take place in a very short distance, as the agile little plane dives and soars at 50mph or so.”

David then had the chance to fly in a Stampe, a 1948 Belgium copy of Britain’s famous 1930s Tiger Moth. Another highly exhilarating flight offering terrific views. Once again, David saw eagles soaring nearby at about 2,000 feet.

Amazed at how simple these 1940s biplanes are, David commented: “There’s just the stick to hold, a rudder bar for your feet and a few simple instruments. Nothing electric!”

Taking care of David on his superb day of biplane flying was instructor pilot Tizi, who has been flying for over 30 years in the UK and Africa including handling big jets, instructing in vintage biplanes and flying in numerous air displays as an RF4 aerobatic pilot.

All these many hours of flying experience is very reassuring as David explained: “Tizi and her team are very reassuring and take good care of the passengers. At every stage you feel safe and confident that you will have a safe flight. They have a great set up in Gloucestershire that is a real treat for any aviation enthusiast.”

With Into the Blue you can fly a vintage biplane (or any other flying experience) at your choice of various venues throughout the UK from just £139 for a 20 minute flight.