It’s an adventure that has never been attempted before: circumnavigating the globe in a Spitfire, an iconic plane with a storied history. Pilots Steve Boultbee-Brooks and Matt Jones are taking on this adventure in the “Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight” expedition starting August 18th, 2019 and supported by IWC. The UK news outlet The Telegraph sat down with the pilots to learn more about their exciting journey.
The Spitfire has a special place in aviation history. When it was developed in the 1930s, the plane quickly became iconic due to its innovative design and engineering. Pilots Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones are honoring this quintessential aircraft by taking a restored Spitfire on a round-the-world journey, calling the expedition “Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight”, and IWC is joining them for the ride.
We are co-sponsoring Brooks and Jones’ flight as they cover more than 43,000 km and visit approximately 26 countries starting August 18th. “More than any other aircraft, the Spitfire symbolizes man’s dream of flying,” said IWC CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr when the collaboration was announced in September 2018. “We were instantly captivated by the ambitious idea of flying this aircraft around the world and we are excited to be able to help this adventure along its way.”
— Silver Spitfire pilots Steve Boultbee Brooks (L) and Matt Jones (R)
The adventure started nine years ago when Brooks bought the two-seater at an auction. He originally wanted to restore the plane and fly it to South Africa, but Jones had other plans. “Matt said no, no, no. We are going to go around the world,” Brooks recalled with a smile.
The first time Jones took the restored Spitfire, rechristened the “Silver Spitfire” for its chrome finish, out for a spin, the experience was almost spiritual. “It’s very emotional the first time you fly an airplane like that. My first thought I think was I can’t believe what’s happening at this moment. I couldn’t take it all in. I kept my cool for about a minute after getting out but then I cried for about ten minutes afterwards,” he said.
The UK news outlet The Telegraph has more from Jones, Brooks and other members of the Silver Spitfire flight crew below.
Meet the Silver Spitfire pilots
— Source: The Telegraph
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