The sight of a Second World War icon enraptured thousands in Angus at the weekend, its fuselage glinting in the sun during a flight over the North Sea.
The Spitfire flypast at Victoria Park capped a day of parading in Arbroath, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the town’s own Red Lichtie first taking to the skies.
The parade, involving 200 serving and ex-serving personnel and cadets, was instigated by the Red Lichtie Spitfire Group and culminated in the plane’s flypast a beautiful sight as it hummed along the beachfront a dozen times.
The chairman of the area partnership and the Spitfire group, Harry Simpson, praised the hard work of those involved.
He said: ”It went really well and all the people who did the organising did an excellent job.
”All those young marines, cadets and the veterans were all really smart, and it was good to see the motorbikes (of the British Legion Riders’ Branch formed in 2010) come along.
”Everybody we spoke to, the youngsters and the older participants thought it was wonderful.
”There was a nice cool breeze going up the High Street which kept everyone cool. The ladies of the legion had soup and teas and coffees laid on for everyone at the hall afterwards.”’A very happy occasion’The Lord Lieutenant of Angus, Georgiana Osborne, and provost Helen Oswald presented participation certificates to a range of groups at the legion hall.
Mrs Oswald said: ”It went wonderfully well the atmosphere was superb and everybody was happy. The actual parade was great, I just thought it was the best day for it.
”It was very comfortable for me, there was a bit of a breeze once we got to the Victoria Park but it was a beautiful day.
”The crowd was in great spirits and it was a very happy occasion.”
Mrs Oswald said if every day on which she fulfilled civic duties would be as good a day, she would be in ”seventh heaven”.
Those taking part in the parade portion included X Company of 45 Royal Marine Commando and the attached 7 Sphinx Commando Battery, Air, Sea and both Royal Artillery and Black Watch Army cadets, and 212 (Highland) Battery (Volunteers).
Flying the legion’s flags, two dozen bikes of the group’s Riders Branch rode ahead of the parade.
Veterans also represented the Arbroath branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, The Black Watch Association, Royal Observer Corps Arbroath, Royal Marines Association, Royal Artillery Association and the Fleet Air Arm.