Plans for a festival to mark the 70th anniversary of an Angus Spitfire have been boosted by the announcement of a steering group chairman.
Harry Simpson, the man behind last year’s Year of the Light celebrations in Arbroath, will take the helm of a committee organising celebrations marking seven decades since the famous Red Lichtie took to the skies.
Having produced successful events for the bicentenary of the Bell Rock Lighthouse, the councillors and Angus Council staff behind the project felt Mr Simpson was the best choice to head up the team.
The businessman said the details of what will be included in the festival are a secret, but added plans had got off to a ”flying start”.
Mr Simpson said: ”We have got a committee together and we have been busy planning a lot of ideas and throwing them into the pot to see what we can do.
”We have a lot of people who are very interested in coming along to get involved and we are working very closely with Angus Council and the local community planning team and town historians.”
He added: ”The project is going ahead, of that we can be certain, but unfortunately it is still all very hush-hush at the moment, so there is not much we can confirm.”
The Red Lichtie was paid for after the people of Arbroath raised money for a Spitfire fund in 1940. More than £5,000 was raised, with the aeroplane making its maiden flight in 1942, having been built at Castle Bromwich.
Its pilot was Squadron Leader later air vice marshal James ‘Johnnie’ Johnson, one of the RAF’s most distinguished fighter aces of the Second World War, with 34 confirmed victories.
Mr Simpson said the festival could be a big tourist draw for Arbroath and Angus, coming on the back of the year of events themed around the Bell Rock.
He said: ”It is very important to recognise the Spitfire fund, because it was raised during the war days when people didn’t have much.
”Different things will be happening throughout the year. When I was asked to be chair I was happy to take on the role and hopefully this can be as successful as the Year of the Light has been.”
He added: ”Interest in aircraft is worldwide and we will hopefully be able to tap into that.”
Arbroath councillor Donald Morrison has been one of the driving forces behind the festival and other representatives and agencies will no doubt get on board as the idea evolves.
The idea came after Mr Morrison spoke to local historian Morris Scott, who holds information about the plane’s role during the Second World War.
Mr Morrison said it is also important to remember the efforts made by the town’s residents during the war.
The Arbroath Spitfire fund was typical of many up and down the country, with several in communities across Tayside and Fife.
Dundee had its Spitfire fund swelled by jute works holding concerts.
Meanwhile Fife Savings Committee bought three Spitfires, one of which was named after St Andrews.