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 on Saturday afternoonThe pilot killed in a Spitfire crash during a Battle of Britain memorial show had told how he set his heart on a career in the RAF as a seventeen-year-old boy - recalling: 'That appeals as a job!'
In an interview with aerospace and defence giant BAE Systmes in 2016 he said: 'My family used to take me to airshows so my first interests were Lightning and Vulcan displays and I thought, 'That appeals as a job'.'Twelve years later, I found myself sat in the cockpit of a Typhoon. It really is like a dream come true for me.'
'From there I joined Initial Officer Training in 2003 and then went to fly the Tucano, where you get your wings, and from there on to the Hawk in 2005.'I then moved on to the Harrier with 1 Sqn at RAF Cottismore for a couple of years and then on to Typhoon in 2012 with 11 Sqn at RAF Coningsby.' Victoria Atkins, the Conservative MP for Louth and Horncastle, wrote on Facebook: 'I am very sorry to hear the tragic news that an RAF pilot has died in the crash of a Spitfire near RAF Coningsby. My thoughts and prayers are with the pilot's loved ones, friends and the RAF family.'
'The Spitfire is the greatest war plane and everyone watches when its is flying overhead and we feel our hearts beating to what it bring to our county. I believe the Spitfire didn't win the war, but it didn't lose it.'Ms Housam from nearby Woodhall Spa, accompanied by construction manager partner Andy George, told how he had treated her for her birthday in March to tour of the hangar at the airbase.
The man from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, who declined to be named, added: 'We then joined in a two minute silence.' 'People come from all across the country, from Scotland and Wales, and other parts to see the history and heritage at the RAF base and museum.Among the growing sea of heartfelt tributes is one stating: 'RIP Fighter 2.
In an older post, the experienced pilot shared a video explaining why they have to be careful about the conditions they fly the vintage aircrafts in. Squadron Leader Mark Long shared footage of a World War II-era plane in flight just weeks before his tragic death. In the post, he said he 'cannot wait' to fly the vintage aircraft in a few weeks'So you have got the massive propeller at the front of the 17-litre Merlin engine but that on the ground forces the air through the radiator'.
This was the first fatality involving a BBMF aircraft since its creation in July 1957, a retired RAF leader told the BBC.A Spitfire flown by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight pilot Mark Long in April 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.'
'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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