#SP273 King's Birthday Flypast 2024, Memorial Formation
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No SP273 - His Majesty The King's Coronation Flypast, London, 15, May 2024, Memorial Formation.
On Saturday 15 June 2024, His Majesty The King’s Birthday Flypast took place over London. Somewhat different to what had originally been planned due to the tragic events on 25 May when Spitfire LFIXe MK356 of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight crashed shortly after take-off from RAF Coningsby resulting in the passing of Squadron Leader Mark Long. “Schlongy”, as he was affectionately known, had a smile that would melt any heart and was a popular and professional pilot of great standing within the Royal Air Force. He had many friends and would do anything to help anyone. He was the perfect impression of a pilot – he was Born to Fly, a true inspiration to colleagues, friends and family alike and will be sorely missed.
Due to the pausing of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s flying operations, its place in the flypast was taken up by three additional Typhoons from 29 Squadron based at RAF Coningsby. The lead Typhoon, the 2024 Typhoon Display aircraft, was flown by Royal Auxiliary Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader Andy “Milli” Millikin, MBE, who was performing his very last Typhoon flight. It was hugely poignant that he was also former Commanding Officer of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
The King’s Birthday Flypast print was produced for the pilots’ briefing which took place prior to the event. Much like a jigsaw, the planning of such a prestigious flypast relies on every piece falling in to place, with the team working together like a Band of Brothers. The “Memorial” Print has been produced with the permission of Squadron Leader Long’s wife and the profits from the sale of this print will go to the JustGiving campaign set up in his memory:
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/SpitfireLong