Pilot killed in Spitfire crash during a Battle of Britain event is named as Squadron Leader Mark Long, who was due to take over the memorial flight next year [Video]

13:30 EDT 26 May 2024, updated 10:26 EDT 27 May 2024

The pilot who was tragically killed in a Spitfire crash during a Battle of Britain event has been named as a Squadron Leader due to take over the memorial flight next year.

The man who died while flying the The World War Two-era fighter has been named locally as father-of-two Mark Long, who flew with the memorial flighters for four years.

The RAF said in a touching statement that he was ‘a great friend, colleague and a passionate, professional aviator’ who will be ‘sorely missed’.

Sqn Ldr Long died when his plane crashed to the ground within a few minutes of takeoff from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire yesterday afternoon.

He had been taking part in an airshow just nine miles away from the base to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.