Silver Spitfire makes world tour

The Silver Spitfire is currently on its world journey, here David Coulthard and Chris Grainger-Herr talk of the plane and the venture.

“I am excited to witness the start of the expedition. Never in the history of aviation has a Spitfire embarked on such a long and arduous journey. I wish Steve Boultbee Brooks, Matt Jones and the entire ground crew every success.” – Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen

Earlier this month IWC Schaffhausen and the Boultbee Flight Academy, in collaboration with Aviation Adventures Ltd, celebrated the official start of the “Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight” expedition in Goodwood. To the roaring applause of more than 400 guests, the carefully restored and polished Spitfire aircraft embarked on its unprecedented flight around the world.

Amongst the guests marking the flight launch were British actress Rosamund Pike and former Formula One™ star David Coulthard, both IWC brand ambassadors, as well as other celebrities, including British TV and radio presenter Dermot O’Leary and British actors Finn Cole and Taron Egerton.

IWC supports the mission as its main partner and official timekeeper as over the last two years, more than a dozen specialists have worked to restore an original Spitfire MK IX aircraft, which was originally built in Castle Bromwich back in 1943. Following several successful test flights in July, the “Silver Spitfire” finally took off from Goodwood Aerodrome on August 7th, beginning its much-anticipated circumnavigation of the globe. Piloting the iconic British aircraft, on the first leg of its journey, is Matt Jones, co-founder of the Boultbee Flight Academy.

Flight followers can keep up to date with its progress at the Sliver Spitfire website, the craft currently flying over the USA.

“The last few months have been intense, and full of activity. Now we’re thrilled that we can finally begin our great adventure and share the glory of the Silver Spitfire with the rest of the world. It’s a massive undertaking, and a huge privilege to be involved in such a project. Now it’s time to make history,” – Boultbee Brooks

The footage is courtesy of IWC Schaffhausen.