Latest news with #Spitfire
CTV News
5 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘Valour, courage, and devotion': Windsorite honoured with Spitfire dedication
Windsorite, Tommy Decourcy, has been honoured by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) in Hamilton has named an aircraft after Windsorite, Tommy DeCourcy. DeCourcy, according to the CWHM, enlisted at 19 in the summer of 1940 to be a fighter pilot for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Tommy DeCourcy Windsor Tommy DeCourcy. (Source: Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum) 'He was posted overseas and served two tours of duty, and by early 1945, Tommy DeCourcy was promoted to Squadron Leader of 443 Squadron RCAF,' the CWHM news release read. 'During his time there flying a Spitfire, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was awarded for an act of valour, courage, and devotion to duty performed while flying in active operations against the enemy.' Tommy DeCourcy Windsor Tommy DeCourcy and the crew with a Spitfire seen in the background. (Source: Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum) Tragically, DeCourcy died in a car accident after the war ended, before he could return home to his family. Two weeks ago on June 7, the 80th anniversary of his death, the CWHM held a ceremony in Hamilton, to dedicate a Spitfire aircraft. It has been refurbished and painted in DeCourcy's memory. DeCourcy's descendants attended the ceremony. According to their website, the CWHM intends to fully restore the aircraft so it can resume flying.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Spitfire replica for Scarborough Armed Forces Day spectacular
A life-size replica of one of the most well-known aircraft of World War II will be placed on Scarborough's seafront for this year's Armed Forces replica Mk1 Spitfire, due to feature in the event on 28 June, was being constructed to match the dimensions and design of the original, its creators Threadgold, artistic director of arts organisation Animated Objects, said it was "one of the most ambitious projects" they had ever Spitfire was a "landmark piece of engineering and aviation history" and people recognised "every curve and facet of the aircraft", he said. "It's our job to ensure we recreate that faithfully for visitors to the Armed Forces Day event in Scarborough," Mr Threadgold event, which is hosted by North Yorkshire Council as part of its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, is also expected to feature military bands, a parade and five air displays and flypasts. North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les said Armed Forces Day provided "an opportunity to look back and pay tribute to those who gave their lives to defend the freedoms we all enjoy on a daily basis".But it also "enables us to show gratitude for the roles our soldiers, sailors and airmen are currently playing around the world to keep people safe", he RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was expected to form one of the flypasts at the event, featuring a Dakota, Hurricane and Skiera, director of R5 Air Displays Ltd, said: "That will be particularly poignant in this, the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, with the sounds of the Merlin engines echoing around the South Bay."In addition, organisers said there would be flypasts by a 1930s Tiger Moth, Rich Goodwin in his jet powered muscle biplane, the Starlings Aerobatics Team and Sqn Ldr Nathan Shawyer, who gained his wings at the former RAF Linton on Ouse, in an RAF Armed Forces Day event on 28 June is due to get under way at 11:00 BST with a welcome from the Scarborough Town Crier and is expected to run until 17:00 BST. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
The Courier
6 days ago
- The Courier
Photographer, 83, on cloud nine after Spitfire flight over Forfar
A retired Angus photographer is almost back down to earth after the thrill of a trip in a wartime Spitfire. During a lifelong interest in aviation, Brian Patterson has been lucky enough to take to the skies in some unusual machinery. But the ex-Courier lensman said the flight from Perth Airport in the two-seater Battle of Britain aircraft was beyond anything he'd previously experienced. And Brian agreed it was definitely worth the wait after fickle Tayside weather grounded the 83rd birthday thrill last year. On Thursday, he was back at Perth for the trip of a lifetime. Wife Irene, son Iain, niece Alison and her partner watched him take to the air. The flights are operated by West Sussex-based firm which opened a Perth Airport base last summer. 'Last year we got a really good look around the aircraft even though we couldn't fly,' said Brian. 'It's a beautiful thing, a stunning machine. 'But this time we arrived, I got kitted up and we were up and away. 'The wind was at the limit coming up the runway, but once we got up to about 3,000 feet it was so smooth.' The Spitfire headed east from Perth and dropped down through the cloud for Brian to enjoy a couple of circuits of his home town. He even experienced the thrill of rolls and loops in the highly manoeuvrable aircraft. And Brian was able to take control of the Spitfire during his half-hour flight. 'The movements required were miniscule. It's such a sensitive aircraft, but so smooth,' he said. 'It lived up to every expectation; it was just a great experience.' It's a far cry from Brian's days as a member of Forfar Model Flying Club flying small-scale planes in the town's Reid Park on a Sunday morning. He first flew from Scone aerodrome in an Avro Anson as a teenager in Forfar Air Cadets. And his 36-year career as a photographer with The Courier and People's Journal presented a couple of special opportunities to take off from Perth. Brian, who retired in 2006, added: 'I went up in one of the Toyota aerobatic team biplanes when they were giving a display at the Perth Show. 'I also had a flight in a blimp from Perth, which was something different.' The veteran flyer now has his sights set on another thrill. 'The next ambition is to go to Lincolnshire Aviation Centre for a Mosquito taxi ride. 'You don't actually take off, but it gives you a full power taxi with both Merlin engines running. 'I think that would be quite something.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Spitfire replica to grace Scarborough seafront for Armed Forces Day
A life-size Spitfire replica will occupy Scarborough's seafront during Armed Forces Day celebrations later this month. Lee Threadgold, artistic director of local arts organisation Animated Objects, which is constructing the replica Mk1 Spitfire, said: "The Spitfire is by far one of the most ambitious projects we've ever undertaken. "It's such a landmark piece of engineering and aviation history that people recognise every curve and facet of the aircraft at first sight, and it's our job to ensure we recreate that faithfully." Scarborough will host a range of tributes, displays, and entertainments for Armed Forces Day, which will take place on Saturday, June 28. The event will run from 11am to 5pm and will include flypasts from the Royal Air Force (which will be sending the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight); a 1930s Tiger Moth; Rich Goodwin, in his jet-powered muscle biplane; the Starlings Aerobatics Team; and squadron leader Nathan Shawyer in an RAF Typhoon. For more information, visit
The Irish Sun
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I stayed in a floating yacht hotel in Europe – we had champagne breakfasts on a budget and even spotted celebs
DAVID WALLIAMS was sitting at the next table offering to massage a newlywed couple. First morning aboard the Sunborn floating hotel in Gibraltar and the professional extrovert was in full character, engaging with star-struck holidaymakers as only he can, with a twinkle in his eye. Advertisement 6 Gibraltar has for so long been pigeonholed as a stopover for day trippers - but why not stay for longer? Credit: Shutterstock 6 David Walliams as in full character, engaging with star-struck holidaymakers as only he can, with a twinkle in his eye Credit: Instagram 6 Get to the top of the Rock via the scenic cable car Credit: Getty We arrived too late the night before to catch the Little Britain comic's one-man show at a sports centre but apparently it went down a storm. He has already asked to return for November's literary festival, and it's no surprise. It's a trend the local tourist board is working hard to reverse. They want travellers to take more time fully taking in the surprisingly large number of things to do on a tiny sun-kissed slab of Britain at the mouth of the Med. Advertisement And when beer is just £3.75 a pint, why not stay longer to enjoy? Secret bunker Gibraltar's gripping history has a deep association with our Armed Forces. The Royal Engineers were founded here in the 18th century and practically built the place. The honeycomb of tunnels dug by clever sappers during World War Two offers a fascinating insight into the work of our determined Armed Forces and the strategic importance of Gibraltar during the conflict. In one cavern hangs a full-size replica of a legendary Spitfire fighter plane. There is also the spine-chilling story of the Stay Behind Cave — the once secret bunker carved into the heart of the mountain, complete with provisions for a year and a bicycle generator. Advertisement Most read in News Travel An elite group of patriotic volunteers agreed to be sealed off from the outside world for a year and spy on the Axis powers, should Gibraltar get overrun — the ultimate one-way ticket in the line of duty . From the exotic Moorish times, through the centuries of the British Empire and beyond, there are tours to take and a bloody back story to hear in the name of entertainment. Strait of Gibraltar Tunnel: A New Bridge Between Continents My wife and I stayed four nights on the permanently moored Sunborn yacht hotel, anchored flush against the dockside of Gibraltar's Ocean Village. It's a 5H joint, and the food and service reflects that. Yet even in high season, a spacious double room with a large window can be yours for £185 a night, including champagne breakfast. Advertisement Step ashore and you can be seated in one of many lively bars with giant outdoor screens beaming major sports from back home. If that's not for you, just 50 yards away is Little Bay Restaurant — a vibrant Indian fusion eaterie where bubbly manager Kelly welcomes you with warm cockney charm, before delicately blended curries combined with zingy cocktails top off an early summer evening. Gibraltar's biggest attraction in every sense is the looming mound of limestone that dominates everything here. Get to the top via the scenic cable car and peer down from the stomach-churning Skywalk 1,400 feet above the sparkling sea — opened by Luke Skywalker, aka Mark Hamill, himself. Advertisement Take in the view across the Straits, a 15-mile- wide blue chasm separating Europe from North Africa — which David Walliams heroically swam in aid of Sport Relief in 2008. The Northern Defences are also worth a visit. This Our guide, Karl Viagas, is steadfastly uncovering more historical treasures underground that will be spectacular when fully open. 6 You can peer down from the stomach-churning Skywalk 1,400 feet above the sparkling sea — opened by Luke Skywalker, aka Mark Hamill, himself Credit: InfoGibraltar Advertisement 6 Soldiers in traditional uniform Credit: Supplied 6 The view of Gibraltar from the top of the Rock Credit: Getty James Bond creator Ian Fleming was stationed here with Naval Intelligence, and daring undersea attacks on the Allied fleet by Italian scubamen in the war fuelled his already vivid imagination for future books and movies. And in true 007 style, we were accompanied by a glamorous former Miss World who would grace any Bond movie. Kaiane Aldorino, former Mayor of Gibraltar, is now an ambassador for the territory. Advertisement Sunshine, cheap beer and a beauty queen for company — plus you can spend British pounds. But like many places, travel and the natural world can often rub each other up the wrong way. Gibraltar's playful macaque monkeys are funny to watch for a time but have become a way for taxi drivers to make a few easy quid. The roads at the top of the rock were clogged with cabbies queuing to feed junk food to these wild animals in return for them doing tricks. Advertisement Far better to join Brian Gomila on his Monkey Talk tour in the kinder environment of the surrounding trees. And if you really want to go green, join Stuart at EBike-Gibraltar. Power-assisted cycling on a lap around the base of the rock is easy on the legs and the eyes as you stop off at small fishing villages with inviting beaches. Read more on the Irish Sun There's a lot of fun to be had too. A dizzying gin-tasting session at the Spirit Of The Rock distillery was as enlightening as it was alcoholic. David Walliams might agree, it's Little Britain — but with Spanish style and weather. Advertisement GO: GIBRALTAR GETTING THERE: easyJet flies to Gibraltar from Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham, with fares from £26.99 return in October. See STAYING THERE : Double rooms at the Sunborn Gibraltar start from £175 per night. See OUT & ABOUT : Gibraltar Upper Rock Nature Reserve – and all attractions including the tunnels – tickets from £30 per adult. See Ebike tour with guide, from £84. See ebike-gibraltar. com. Gin tasting session, from £25, see MORE INFO : See
