On December 8th, Laguna’s Spitfire Legacy announced the commissioning of a Historic Commemoration Flight to Poland in the Summer of 2021. This to honor the 80th Anniversary of the loss of Acting Wing Commander Laguna and Supermarine Spitfire MkIIb P8331 as well as the 18,000 brave pilots and ground crew of the Polish Air Force during the wartime years.
The announcement was made under restrictions, at the Imperial War Museum Duxord in the presence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, and the Chairmen of the Polish Airmens Association and Polish Air Force Memorial Committee.
The tour which will aim to visit key cities and locations which will be outlined over the future months, and has been made possible with the help of our partners at Tribus Watches and the Polish Heritage Flight, whom form part of the Historic Aircraft Collection. Flying will be Hawker Hurricane G-HURI sporting her 303 Squadron livery and original Polish Spitfire BM597 remarked in 303 Squadron coding and presentation name in tribute to Wing Commander Laguna and P8331.
Originally planned for this year, this historic flight we feel is a fitting tribute to our Polish Allies, whom are synonymous with the Battle of Britain in this 80th Anniversary year, as well as recognizing the 75th Anniversary of VE Day. We feel this will go some way towards ensuring surviving veterans and the Polish people understand our continued appreciation and friendship these many years later.
Written in 1942 the famous Arkady Fiedler book Squadron 303 has a fitting review as its final comment on the original rear sleeve “Britons and Poles now understand each other; may the friendship begun in war last forever! We feel this is as appropriate now as it was 78 years ago.
Grateful thanks to Darren Harbar for the photography and Tribus Watches for supporting the Polish Heritage Flight.
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