Torbay airshow stars grounded after Spitfire crash

Pilot killed in wartime fighter tragedy

Wartime aircraft due to form a major part of this weekend’s English Riviera Airshow have been grounded after a fatal crash.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) had been planning to fly over Tor Bay on both days of the show, with a Lancaster bomber alongside Hurricane and Spitfire fighters.

But it has been announced that the BBMF has been temporarily grounded by the Royal Air Force as investigations continue into last Saturday afternoon’s crash at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

Squadron Leader Mark Long was killed when his Spitfire aircraft came down.

The aircraft flown by the BBMF are around 80 years old, but are kept airworthy  so they can be flown at airshows around the country every summer.

The Spitfire is a favourite with crowds everywhere, and one features on the main publicity poster for the Torbay show, which is underwritten by Torbay Council and supported by local businesses.

There had been fears that last year’s display could be the swansong, as the council struggled to find the funds to keep it going, but local sponsors have stepped up to make sure the show goes on.

Other attractions on the programme for this weekend's show include a Catalina flying boat, aerobatic displays and the RAF’s frontline Typhoon fighter. The Red Arrows are due to close the show on Saturday with a display at around 5.30pm. The exact time hasn't been confirmed.

An RAF spokesman said: "Following the tragic accident at RAF Coningsby, and while the formal investigation is ongoing, the RAF has instigated a temporary pause in flying for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight."

Tributes have been paid to Squadron Leader Long. The Prince and Princess of Wales said they are “incredibly sad” at the news, while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it was "awful".

Group Captain Robbie Lees, commander of the RAF's Display Air Wing, told the BBC: "Mark was a Typhoon pilot here at RAF Coningsby and for the last four years he has been a pilot with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight."

In a post on Facebook, officials said the BBMF visitor centre would also remain closed until further notice.