A flypast to mark the 80th anniversary of the Spitfire's first flight is taking place in Southampton later.
The first prototype, K5054, designed by R.J. Mitchell, took off from Eastleigh Aerodrome on 5 March 1936.
A Spitfire is due to pass Southampton Water and the site of the Supermarine factory in Woolston, where thousands of the World War Two fighters were made.
Southampton Airport managing director Dave Lees said the plane "continues to enthral people today".
Spitfire flight over Southampton marks 80th anniversary
BBC News
5 March 2016
A flypast will mark 80 years since the first prototype Spitfire took off
A flypast to mark the 80th anniversary of the Spitfire's first flight is taking place in Southampton later.
The first prototype, K5054, designed by R.J. Mitchell, took off from Eastleigh Aerodrome on 5 March 1936.
A Spitfire is due to pass Southampton Water and the site of the Supermarine factory in Woolston, where thousands of the World War Two fighters were made.
Southampton Airport managing director Dave Lees said the plane "continues to enthral people today".
Weather permitting, the plane will be visible over the Solent shortly after 12:30 GMT.
Weather permitting, the spitfire is due to take off from Southampton Airport at 12:30 GMT
The best vantage points will be along the River Itchen, Weston Shore, Hythe, Royal Victoria Country Park, Lee on Solent and Cowes, Isle of Wight.
The plane will also pass over Mitchell's grave at Stoneham, before overflying the site of the Woolston factory and onwards to Portsmouth Harbour before flying back on itself to Southampton Airport.
During World War Two, with the Spitfire proving critical, the Supermarine factory was targeted by the Luftwaffe to destroy production facilities.
Members of the local Air Cadet Squadron are due to perform a guard of honour for the Spitfire as it is wheeled out of the hangar at Southampton Airport, on the same site as the old Eastleigh Aerodrome.
A later flight of two spitfires over Mayflower Park in Southampton, organised by Solent Sky Museum, is due to take place at 16:00.
R.J. Mitchell designed the iconic aircraft
Spitfire flight over Southampton marks 80th anniversary - BBC News
The first prototype, K5054, designed by R.J. Mitchell, took off from Eastleigh Aerodrome on 5 March 1936.
A Spitfire is due to pass Southampton Water and the site of the Supermarine factory in Woolston, where thousands of the World War Two fighters were made.
Southampton Airport managing director Dave Lees said the plane "continues to enthral people today".
Spitfire flight over Southampton marks 80th anniversary
BBC News
5 March 2016
A flypast will mark 80 years since the first prototype Spitfire took off
A flypast to mark the 80th anniversary of the Spitfire's first flight is taking place in Southampton later.
The first prototype, K5054, designed by R.J. Mitchell, took off from Eastleigh Aerodrome on 5 March 1936.
A Spitfire is due to pass Southampton Water and the site of the Supermarine factory in Woolston, where thousands of the World War Two fighters were made.
Southampton Airport managing director Dave Lees said the plane "continues to enthral people today".
Weather permitting, the plane will be visible over the Solent shortly after 12:30 GMT.
Weather permitting, the spitfire is due to take off from Southampton Airport at 12:30 GMT
The best vantage points will be along the River Itchen, Weston Shore, Hythe, Royal Victoria Country Park, Lee on Solent and Cowes, Isle of Wight.
The plane will also pass over Mitchell's grave at Stoneham, before overflying the site of the Woolston factory and onwards to Portsmouth Harbour before flying back on itself to Southampton Airport.
During World War Two, with the Spitfire proving critical, the Supermarine factory was targeted by the Luftwaffe to destroy production facilities.
Members of the local Air Cadet Squadron are due to perform a guard of honour for the Spitfire as it is wheeled out of the hangar at Southampton Airport, on the same site as the old Eastleigh Aerodrome.
A later flight of two spitfires over Mayflower Park in Southampton, organised by Solent Sky Museum, is due to take place at 16:00.
R.J. Mitchell designed the iconic aircraft
Spitfire flight over Southampton marks 80th anniversary - BBC News