Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, was shown one of the oldest surviving Spitfires in the world when he paid a recent visit to the Royal Air Force Museum (North) at RAF Cosford in Shropshire.
Mark, who was visiting the museum in his capacity as the Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans at the MOD, is also an amateur military historian with a particular interest in the Battle of Britain. As such, Mark was absolutely delighted to be shown the Mark 1B Spitfire, one of the oldest surviving in existence, which actually fought in the Battle of Britain.
The museum also contains a brand new hangar, which specialises in the Cold War, and has exhibits ranging from V-Bombers through to Russian Mig Aircraft and deactivated nuclear missiles.
Speaking about his visit to the RAF Museum at Cosford Mark Francois said:
“I have always been interested in the Battle of Britain since I was a child and indeed what is now Southend Airport was originally RAF Rochford during the Battle of Britain, from which Spitfires and Hurricanes took off in defence of our country from the Luftwaffe. Moreover, the second ever Chain Home radar station was actually established in Canewdon in my own constituency, and helped to guide RAF pilots to their targets in the skies above. The Battle of Britain was an iconic period in British history and one when we stood alone against dictatorship and so it was wonderful to be shown one of the aircraft that fought in that battle, indeed one of the oldest surviving Spitfires in the world. I believe we should never take our freedom for granted and it is thanks to machines like this and the brave pilots who flew them that we are able to live in a free country today”.