A Spitfire plane will be flying over Dundee and Tayside next month

A piece of aviation history is set to return to the skies above Dundee and Tayside next month, as a Spitfire flypast has been confirmed for Thursday 9 April.

The aircraft will take off from RAF Leuchars and is expected to fly over the city and surrounding areas during a 55-minute flight, offering residents a rare chance to see one of Britain’s most iconic wartime planes in action.

Marking 90 years of the Spitfire

The flypast forms part of a nationwide tour marking the 90th anniversary of the Spitfire’s very first flight in March 1936. That historic moment saw test pilot Joseph ‘Mutt’ Summers take the prototype aircraft into the air for just eight minutes, later famously remarking: “Don’t change a thing.”

To celebrate the milestone, a specially restored two-seat Spitfire has been painted in the colours of the original prototype and is now embarking on a nine-flight circumnavigation of Great Britain, with each journey representing a decade of the aircraft’s history.

The commemorative tour is being delivered in partnership with the Royal Air Force and will see the Spitfire flying alongside modern RAF aircraft on selected routes, showcasing the evolution of aviation from the Second World War to the present day.

Making a legacy

Organisers say the initiative is not only about celebrating engineering achievement, but also about connecting people with the legacy of the Spitfire, which played a vital role during the Battle of Britain and remains a powerful symbol of resilience and innovation.

Alongside the aerial displays, the tour is also raising funds for two charities, the Mark Long Trust and the RAF Benevolent Fund, with a target of at least £100,000. A charity auction is even offering aviation enthusiasts the chance to fly in the rear seat of the Spitfire itself as part of the commemorative journey.