The Royal Air Force pilot who died in a Spitfire crash near RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on Saturday has been named as Squadron Leader Mark Long, Group Captain Robbie Lees said.
Mark Long was tragically killed in a Spitfire crash in Lincolnshire yesterdayThe pilot who was tragically killed in a Spitfire crash during a Battle of Britain event has been named as a Squadron Leader due to take over the memorial flight next year.
He had been taking part in an airshow just nine miles away from the base to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. 'A great friend, colleague, and a passionate, professional aviator he will be sorely missed by all that knew him.''I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the RAF personnel, and our emergency services colleagues who responded so swiftly yesterday.
The former RAF air craftsman, speaking after the death of the experienced and respected flier during a Battle of Britain event, said: 'I've seen a lot of terrible things in my life but this is up there with the worst.'A Spitfire flown by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight pilot Mark Long in AprilMark, who declined to be fully named, saw the horror unfold as he was plane spotting with his partner and her RAF fan 10-year-old son from a car park overlooking the base.
'It just nose-dived, sadly the pilot didn't stand a chance. The way it went down so quickly and people were watching from the car park in horror and disbelief.'I was there with my partner and her son, who was beside himself with sadness, like many of us. It was devastating to watch.
He recalled: 'At the end of a flight Mark would always make a point of coming up to the big wire fence and give the kids a pep talk through it. It had been taking part in a civilian airshow just nine miles from the base to commemorate the RAF's role in fending off German attacks during the Second World WarThe Prince and Princess of Wales have shared their condolences, saying they were 'incredibly sad' to hear of the tragedy.
The crash has been described as a 'tragic accident' by officials but an investigation has been opened into the cause.
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