The scene of World War II propeller aircraft flying next to modern fighter jets shows how far military aviation has advanced—but also highlights the continuity of the RAF.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) is markingthe 90th anniversary of the famedSupermarine Spitfire this year with a commemorative tour—which began last weekend after a replica of the prototype aircraft K5054 touched down at RAF Coningsby, escorted by Spitfire AB910 from the famed Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF).

“During the flight, ‘K5054’ was also joined in the vicinity of RAF Marham by two F-35 Lightning II aircraft,” the RAF announced in a media statement.

The event was to honor the legendary Spitfire for its service in World War II, including in the Battle of Britain.

“The tour will continue across Great Britain, visiting historic RAF locations connected to the Spitfire’s storied past, with modern RAF aircraft joining the flights to showcase the evolution of British air power,” the RAF statement read.

“Today’s flight and landing here at RAF Coningsby is a proud and memorable moment for all involved. The Spitfire remains an enduring symbol of courage and engineering excellence, and this tour allows us to celebrate its remarkable history while inspiring future generations,” said a BBMF spokesperson.

This year’s Spitfire90 tour presents a rare opportunity for the public to see an authentic two-seat Spitfire, which was used in the early training of the aircraft. The event will also support two related charities, including the Mark Long Trust and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

The former is named for the late Squadron Leader Mark Long of the RAF, a historic aviation expert who was killed in a 2024 Spitfire crash. The trust, founded by his widow, Beth Long, funds flying scholarships and provides opportunities for disabled individuals. The RAF Benevolent Fund provides financial, practical, and emotional support to serving and former RAF personnel and their families.

The Spitfire90 tour will continue this month, with scheduled flights to Leuchars Air Field, RAF Lossiemouth, Prestwick, RAF Valley, MOD St Athan, RAF St Mawgan (Newquay), Exeter, before ending in Southampton, “completing approximately 15 flying hours over nine days.”

The Spitfire vs. the F-35B Lightning: How Far Aircraft Have Come

The first flight of the Spitfire90 tour, featuring the F-35Bs from the Royal Air Force, highlighted how far fighter development has come in the past 90 years.

The Spitfire was one of the finest planes of the propeller era—but World War II also saw the development of the first jet aircraft, which proved comprehensively superior to propellers and have come to define both commercial and military aviation.

Aircraft	Spitfire Mk. 1a	F-35B Lightning II
Year Introduced	1936	2019
Number Built	20,351	~150 (production ongoing)
Length	29 ft 11 in (9.12 m)	51.5 ft (15.7 m)
Wingspan		35 ft (10.7 m)
Weight (MTOW)	6,700 lb (3,039 kg)	~60,000 lb (27,200 kg)
Engine(s)	One Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine	One Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-600 afterburning turbofan with shaft-driven lift fan
Top Speed	370 mph (600 km/h)	1,200+ mph (1,930 km/h)
Range	479 mi (771 km)	~1,037 mi (1,670 km) without refueling
Service Ceiling	36,500 ft (11,100 m)	50,000 ft (15,240 m)
Loadout	Eight .303 Browning machine guns	Internal bays, up to 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) ordnance; 6 external hardpoints; can carry missiles, conventional bombs (future nuclear integration planned)
Aircrew	1	1

Few Original Spitfires Remain Airworthy

The Spitfire took its maiden flight on March 5, 1936, and the famed aircraft entered service with the RAF two years later—and it remained in service until it was finally retired in 1955. It was the only Allied aircraft built throughout World War II, and a total of 20,351 were built.

Despite the large number that were built, fewer than 70 remain airworthy, and just 30 of those are located in the UK. The RAF operates several for use in national commemorations and at airshows.

Even as the Spitfire is most associated with the Battle of Britain, it played a slightly smaller role than some may believe. It was actually the Hawker Hurricane, the workhorse of the UK’s interwar period, that shot down more enemy planes over the course of the campaign in 1940.

The main reason it is assumed the Spitfire was so prolific in the early stages of World War II may be the 1968 film The Battle of Britain, as far more Spitfires were available for filming, and few scenes featured Hawker Hurricanes. Still, the Supermarine Spitfire was a more advanced plane than the Hurricane, and had substantially phased it out by the end of the war; it played a significant role in the D-Day landings more than 80 years ago, with 55 Spitfire squadrons supporting the invasion of Normandy. 

About the Author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu has contributed to dozens of newspapers, magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

The post F-35 Fighters Escorted RAF Spitfires on Battle of Britain Commemoration Tour appeared first on The National Interest.