Spitfires return to their 'spiritual home' (From This Is Local London)

Spitfire heritage hangar launches at Biggin Hill

11:13am Saturday 16th June 2012 in Where I Live By David Mills

A SPITFIRE heritage hangar has been launched at its "spiritual home" in Biggin Hill.

The hangar is the inspiration of Spitfire owner and pilot Peter Monk, who owns a Spitfire Mark 9 TA805 named 'Spirit of Kent' and a Mark 9 called 'Borough of Bromley'.

A privately owned rare Mark I and a Mark 16 are also in residence.

Further Spitfires are scheduled to arrive over the coming months and the hangar is also home to a Piper Cub and a North American Harvard.

The launch was attended by two Second World War veterans Flight Lieutenant Rodney Scrase DFC and Squadron Leader Nigel Rose, who cut the launch ribbon.

Former Spitfire pilot Mr Scrase, who flew 250 operations mostly in Tunisia and Italy, said: "I was delighted to be there.

"Biggin Hill and the Spitfire are synonymous - one represents the other. Biggin Hill is the Spitfire's spiritual home.

"I regard myself as having a love affair with the Spitfire.

"With my historic allegiance to it, if you mention an aeroplane I would almost automatically link it up with a Spitfire."

The 90-year-old added: "The important thing is we should be doing a great deal more not just with the Spitfire hangar but all the elements that exist at Biggin Hill.

"We also have the pens on the other side, the scout building, so we have a number of things that all fit together."

Robin J Brooks, who is in charge of publicity for the hangar, said: "With the sad demise of the annual Biggin Hill Air Fair two years ago the heritage hangar has once again placed the airfield firmly on the vintage aviation map and will soon rival similar sites based in different parts of the country."

The hangar and Spitfire collection will be open at certain times during the year with several twilight evening viewings for photographers.

For more information visit bigginhillheritagehangar.co.uk