Aero Legends

30/01/2025

Your dream of flying in a Spitfire awaits! 🚀 Since 2023, Aero Legends has been proud to offer Spitfire Flights from the breathtaking Compton Abbas Airfield, owned by renowned film producer Guy Ritchie.

Perched atop a hill in the stunning Dorset countryside, Compton Abbas Airfield provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable aviation experience. Step into history and take to the skies in the world’s most iconic WWII aircraft.

29/01/2025

"It’s just over eight minutes for me to fly to the White Cliffs of Dover, so in twenty five minutes you’ll see an elliptical wing, fly over the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne, and see the White Cliffs of Dover, then you come back and do a barrel roll and even a loop if you want to. It’s a breathtaking backdrop, and it’s a grass runway which is quite close, so you get to hear and see and smell the Spitfires taking off and landing. It’s a great set up ”

Flt Lt Antony ‘Parky’ Parkinson

To book your flight experience, contact the Aero Legends Team

28/01/2025

Jet Legends is excited to announce the launch of our third flying season, offering the ultimate Fly a Fighter Jet Experience in the iconic BAC Strikemaster. After two incredibly successful years, we continue to be the only CAA-approved operator in the UK, providing the public with a rare chance to experience the thrill of flying in an ex-military jet.

Our flights operate from North Weald Airfield, a historic site steeped in aviation history. Once home to the RAF’s No. 111 Squadron, which flew Hawker Hunters, this location provides the perfect backdrop for your aviation adventure. North Weald Airfield was also a key Battle of Britain base, making it the ideal spot to relive the excitement of military aviation.

27/01/2025

Our experiences take place at three carefully selected locations:

✈️ Headcorn Aerodrome, Kent: A historic wartime airfield just 8 minutes by Spitfire to the Kent coast and 12 minutes from to the White Cliffs of Dover.

✈️ North Weald Airfield, Essex: A Battle of Britain airfield with a rich aviation heritage and picturesque flight paths.

✈️ Compton Abbas Airfield, Dorset: Owned by film producer Guy Ritchie and situated atop an 800-foot hill, offering breathtaking views of the Dorset landscape.
From each location, we offer a variety of routes and flight profiles, ensuring you can tailor your experience to suit your interests—whether it’s flying over the White Cliffs of Dover or retracing historic wartime routes.

26/01/2025

Spitfire NH341 was built at Castle Bromwich as a Spitfire Low Level Fighter (LFIXE) and delivered to 8 MU on the 28th April 1944. It was sent to Miles Aircraft for modifications to be fitted before delivery to 411 (Grizzly Bear) squadron RCAF on 12th June 1944.

This was the only squadron NH341 served with and was flown by 9 pilots. The most notable use of NH341 was in the hands of Flt Lt Hugh Charles Trainor who gained his third kill in 48 hours on 29th June 1944 when he downed an ME109 five miles West of Caen whilst flying her. Flt Lt Trainor destroyed another ME109 on the evening of 30th June 1944 over Thury Hurcourt, again in NH341.

Flt Lt Trainor gained ace status later flying another Spitfire when he destroyed two more ME109s in a single flight on the 4th July, this was after NH341 had been lost on the 2nd July whilst being flown by W/O J S Jeffrey who escaped unscathed after tangling with FW190s South East of Caen.

The substantial remains were placed on display at the Musee Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie at Bayeux during 1996. It was later displayed at the Juno Beach Museum at Courseulles-sur-Mer during 2003 where it was described as being ML295. Inspection of the aircraft however shows that a substantial amount of the parts originated from NH341 with only a few parts from another Spitfire.

NH341 was delivered to 411 Squadron’s airfield at B4 Beny sur Mer near the Normandy coast shortly after D Day (6th June 1944) on 12th June 1944, flying its first sortie on 14th June. NH341 made 27 operational combat flights over the post D Day battlefields in the hands of 9 pilots. F/L Trainor scored two air victories in NH341 against ME109s on the 29th and 30th June.

A summary of the missions undertaken by NH341 were as follows;

1 es**rt to Lancaster bombers on a mission to Le Havre to attack E boats
10 patrols over the Normandy beach head
8 armed reconnaissance patrols
2 bridgehead patrols
1 fighter sweep
2 dive bombing missions
3 front line patrols

25/01/2025

The Dakota or C47 Skytrain is one of the most iconic and revered aircraft of all time and was cited by General Dwight Eisenhower as one of the “tools of victory” that won World War II. It is one of those aircraft that was so well designed that it is hard to think of another aircraft that could replace it even today.
Aero Legends operate two examples and are excited to give you the opportunity to experience what it is like to taxi and get up to almost take off speed in one of them. You can imagine that you are heading out to the Normandy Invasion beaches (Operation Overlord) or Arnhem (Operation Market Garden) or crossing the Rhine (Operation Varsity).

We have offered this experience occasionally at events and it has proven to be extremely popular so we are now offering it more widely. You wont be disappointed

https://www.aerolegends.co.uk/experiences/c47-dakota-experiences/

24/01/2025

So why is it called the Ultimate Experience?

Follow in the footsteps of a WW2 fighter pilot. Wrap up in an Irvin flying jacket and cut your teeth flying the original 1930’s Tiger Moth before further honing your skills from the cockpit of the ‘Pilot Maker’, the Harvard. Finish your journey with 30 minutes at the controls of Britains most legendary fighter, the Spitfire!

23/01/2025

Where's the sun hiding?

Don't worry, we'll soon be back with our Fly a Fighter Jet experiences! Be a fighter pilot for the day, experience real “Top Gun” style flying in an Ex-Military Strikemaster jet aircraft. Fly from our base at North Weald Airfield, home of the last front line combat unit No. 111 Squadron RAF flying Hawker Hunters.

We are privileged to be the first and only approved operator providing Ex-Military jet experiences in the UK. Members of the public can now experience outstanding and significant ex-military jet aircraft first hand. Anyone who meets the entry requirements can take a Fighter Jet Experience. You’re able to secure your flying date now with a £999 deposit, balance due 30 days before you fly.

22/01/2025

TD314 was built at Castle Bromwich in late 1944 and fitted with a Merlin 70 as a High Level Fighter (HFIXE). She was one of the last high back Spitfires built as the production line switched to low back aircraft in February of 1945. She was delivered to 33 MU at Lyneham on 30th March 1945, transferring later that month to 30 MU before a further move to 6 MU where she was prepared for service with 183 (Gold Coast) Squadron at Chilbolton on the 24th June 1945. 183 squadron only kept its Spitfires for a short time before re-equipping with Tempests.

TD314 moved to 234 (Madras Presidency) Squadron at Bentwaters on 26th July 1945, it is in this squadrons colours that she is currently finished with the squadron codes of FX-P. Whilst with 234 squadron it is possible that TD314 took part in the 1945 Battle of Britain flypast over London. When 234 squadron converted to Meteors TD314 was transferred to 29 MU at High Ercall for disposal on the 27th February 1946.

In early 1948 TD314 was selected as one of the 136 Spitfire IXs to be sold to the South African Air Force and she was sent to 47 MU RAF Sealand where she was packed for shipment, leaving Birkenhead on the SS Clan Chattan 23rd April and arriving at Cape Town on the 12th May 1948. Details of her use with the SAAF are not known but she was sold for scrapping to the South African Metal & Machinery CO, Salt River, Cape Town, sometime during 1954. She remained in the scrap yard until recovered by Larry Barnett of Johannesburg in 1969. From there she passed through the hands of several owners before arriving in the UK via Canada in 2009.

Acquired by Aero Legends in 2011, restoration commenced at Biggin Hill culminating in a first flight on the 7th December 2013. TD314 is heavily featured in the new Haynes manual on Spitfire restoration having its picture pride of place on the front cover. TD314 has been named “St. George” which is prominently displayed on the fuselage

16/01/2025

Formation Spitfire experience from Headcorn Aerodrome (Kent).

Headcorn is an original WW2 location, offering breathtaking backdrops to your flying experience. You have the best seat in the house, start your experience with a phenomenal formation take-off before experiencing close formation flying and formation aerobatics in a Spitfire.

15/01/2025

09/01/2025

Fly in one of a pair of ex-military Strikemaster jets from our base at North Weald Airfield, Essex. This Strikemaster jet formation flying experience is the only one of its kind available in the UK and is fully approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The experience will last for around 30 minutes, with 20 minutes airborne.

You will be able to experience ‘Red Arrow’ style formation flying. Fly alongside a member of your family, a friend or another jet enthusiast and experience up to 4.5 G during formation display and aerobatic sequences. You will have a unique experience, during a flight tailored to your requirements, sitting alongside one of our highly experienced, CAA approved, ex-military display pilots.

All flights include a detailed pre-flight briefing, covering the aircraft, equipment and safety procedures. All passengers will be fully kitted out with high quality military flying clothing and equipment and receive a comprehensive briefing on the LIVE ejection seats. You will be given the opportunity to discuss and plan the route and content of your flight with your Jet Legends pilot, to ensure you get everything you want out of your time in the Strikemaster jet.

Ever wanted to know what it feels like fly a fighter jet ? Join onboard two BAC Strikemaster jets as they fly in formation from North Weald airfield, on flig...

08/01/2025

Spitfire MJ444 ‘Lady Luck’ joined the fleet in 2024, marking the much-anticipated return of the Formation Spitfire weekends. This development promises an unparalleled experience for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

Passengers embarking on this extraordinary journey will have the opportunity to fly in the UK’s finest T9 Spitfires, taking off from historic airfields in London/Essex, Kent and Dorset. These locations, with their wartime charm and iconic grass runways, set the stage for an authentic and immersive experience.

07/01/2025

Are you ready for our tenth airshow at Headcorn Aerodrome? Join us at the 2025 Battle of Britain Airshow being held at Headcorn Aerodrome on the 28th and 29th June 2025. This year, we’re pulling out all the stops to bring you a breathtaking lineup of aerial displays that will leave you in awe.

This is a pre-sale only event. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Secure your tickets now by visiting bobairshow.co.uk/buy-tickets.

Bring your family and friends to share in the excitement and make memories that will last a lifetime.

02/01/2025

Experience the World's First Spitfire vs Jet Adventure

Introducing the 30-Minute Ex-Military Jet and Spitfire Formation for Two, a world-first flying experience brought to you exclusively by Aero Legends.

Take to the skies in a Spitfire and Strikemaster Jet, side-by-side with a loved one or friend, in the most thrilling aerial adventure of the 2025 season. Experience 20 unforgettable minutes airborne, as you join in breathtaking formation display and aerobatic sequences – all under the guidance of our highly experienced, CAA-approved, Ex-RAF display pilots.

📍 Launch from Historic North Weald Airfield
👕 Fully kitted in authentic military flying gear
✈️ Tailor your flight route and maneuvers
🎥 Capture the moment with optional in-flight video

With packages starting at £3195, this exclusive opportunity is designed for aviation enthusiasts and adrenaline seekers alike. Secure your place now – availability is extremely limited!

Bonus: Take home a signed flight certificate of your Strikemaster Jet and Spitfire as a keepsake of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

19/12/2024

Ex-Military Jet and Spitfire Formation for Two Experience now available on the Aero Legends Website!

Brand new for the 2025 season, this exciting and high-end flying experience is the only ‘Spitfire versus Jet’ type of its kind, offering you the opportunity to fly alongside a member of your family or a friend at the same time – one of you in the Spitfire and one of you in the Strikemaster Jet. In your Strikemaster jet, you will cover everything that is included in the ex-military jet experience, before joining in formation with an iconic Spitfire and completing some formation display and aerobatic sequences. Your unique flight will be tailored to your requirements by our highly experienced, CAA approved, ex-military display pilots.

https://www.aerolegends.co.uk/experiences/special-offers/

19/12/2024

Missed Our Last Christmas Promotion? Don’t Worry! 🎄✈️

Good news! We’re still including a FREE video with all new Fly a Spitfire bookings made by 25th December. Plus, you’ll receive a personalised E-Voucher, perfect for gifting this Christmas.

Give the ultimate gift - a flight in a Spitfire. There’s still time to make someone’s Christmas unforgettable!

🎁 Book now and let the countdown to an extraordinary experience begin.
https://www.aerolegends.co.uk/experiences/fly-in-a-spitfire/

13/12/2024

Spitfire MJ444 ‘Lady Luck’ joined the fleet in 2024, marking the much-anticipated return of the Formation Spitfire weekends. This development promises an unparalleled experience for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

Passengers embarking on this extraordinary journey will have the opportunity to fly in the UK’s finest T9 Spitfires, taking off from historic airfields in London/Essex, Kent and Dorset. These locations, with their wartime charm and iconic grass runways, set the stage for an authentic and immersive experience.

What sets Aero Legends apart is not only the remarkable aircraft but also the team of experienced Spitfire pilots who ensure a thrilling and safe adventure. In just 8 minutes after takeoff, passengers can find themselves in close formation over the majestic White Cliffs of Dover, a sight that invokes the spirit of wartime aviation.