They played a pivotal part in winning the Battle of Britain for the Allied Forces in the Second World War.

To commemorate the instrumental role of the Spitfire – built predominantly in Birmingham – and the 75th anniversary of its first flight, there will be a flypast of a Spitfire at the Royal Air Force Museum in Cosford, Shropshire.

The display is likely to be one of the highlights at this year’s Battle of Britain Weekend at the museum from Saturday, September 10.

Squadron leader Tony Pickering, one of few fighter pilots still alive who flew both Hurricane and Spitfire planes during the Second World War, will be at the show where he will be reunited with Spitfire number K9942, which he flew during the war.

The 91-year-old, who lives in Rugby, Warwickshire, said: “Ninety-nine per cent of pilots who flew the two would say they preferred the Spitfire.

“It was a beautiful plane and was ideal for what we needed to do, which was stop the German bombers. I think Britain should be very proud to have designed and produced such a magnificent aircraft.”

Mr Pickering, who was a member of 501 Squadron based at Gravesend, hopes to be joined at the show by his son, grandsons and great-grandsons.

l For more information about the Battle of Britain Weekend, contact the museum on 0190 237 6200 or visit www.rafmuseum.org