On Thursday 17th and Friday 18th September 2020, the "N.H.S. Spitfire" will grace the skies over Northern Ireland. You will be able to see the iconic plane in its blue livery showing support for key healthcare workers from a range of places across Ulster.
Weather permitting, the famous Second World War-era fighter plane will take off from Cumbernauld Airport, Scotland at 1530hrs on Thursday 17th September 2020. The inbound route will take the aircraft over Coleraine Causeway Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital, Co. Londonderry before it lands at City of Derry Airport, the former R.A.F. Eglinton / R.N.A.S. Eglinton / H.M.S. Gannet.
The blue 'N.H.S. Spitfire' will fly over Northern Ireland on 17th-18th September 2020. Creative Commons Photo.
17th September 2020
| Time | Site | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1530hrs | Cumbernauld Airport | Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire, Scotland |
| 1607hrs | Causeway Hospital | Coleraine, Co. Londonderry |
| 1616hrs | Altnagelvin Hospital | Derry/Londonderry |
| 1620hrs | City of Derry Airport | Eglinton, Co. Londonderry |
On Friday 18th September 2020, residents of Co. Armagh, Co. Antrim, and Co. Down will hear the unmistakable hum of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine as the plane continues its flypast of hospitals in Northern Ireland.
18th September 2020
| Time | Site | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1000hrs | City of Derry Airport | Eglinton, Co. Londonderry |
| 1015hrs | Craigavon Area Hospital | Portadown, Co. Armagh |
| 1019hrs | Armagh Community Hospital | Armagh, Co. Armagh |
| 1025hrs | Daisy Hill Hospital | Newry, Co. Down |
| 1034hrs | Downshire Hospital | Downpatrick, Co. Down |
| 1040hrs | Lagan Valley Hospital | Lisburn, Co. Antrim |
| 1042hrs | Musgrave Park Hospital | Belfast |
| 1048hrs | Antrim Area Hospital | Antrim, Co. Antrim |
| 1053hrs | Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children/Royal Victoria Hospital | Belfast |
| 1054hrs | Belfast City Hospital | Belfast |
| 1055hrs | Mater Hospital | Belfast |
| 1100hrs | Ulster Hospital | Dundonald, Co. Down |
| 1103hrs | Ards Community Hospital | Newtownards, Co. Down |
| 1110hrs | Newtownards Airfield | Newtownards, Co. Down |
These Spitfire flypasts are raising funds for N.H.S. Charities Together. The Supermarine Spitfire will eventually feature the names of 80,000 people who have supported the charity venture.
The names will be nominated by the public as a way of recognising small acts of kindness throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. From a family member to a kind neighbour, close friend or community hero, the public can now thank them with this special gesture. In return for their donation, their nominated name will be one of those written on the Spitfire, which has an 80,000 name capacity. As the names are added, the UK will be able to watch this extraordinary visual spectacle unfold. The aim is to lift the spirits of those across the UK, whilst also thanking the hospitals, communities and individuals who have been at the forefront of getting the country through the pandemic.
Project Spokesperson
Supermarine Spitfires prepare for take-off at Ballyhalbert airfield near Newtownards, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. Photo from Forgotten Airfields. Copyright unknown.
During the Second World War, Supermarine Spitfires were a common sight in the skies over Northern Ireland. The Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Force operated from a number of airfields across Ulster.
As well as raising money, the crew behind the N.H.S. Spitfire hope to raise people’s spirits across the United Kingdom. You can donate to the project through the Aircraft Restoration Company’s JustGiving page.