THE Dawn to Dusk Spitfire Challenge, an attempt to fly to as many Spitfire airfields as possible in one day, visited 14 historic venues across the UK in an epic 14-hour journey on 29 June.

Pilots Steve Bridgewater and Louise Walker took off from Oxford in a Piper Cherokee at 0715, and went on to visit Coventry,Blackpool, Coningsby, Wittering, Duxford, Cambridge, North Weald, Manston, Chichester (Goodwood), Lasham, Lyneham, Kemble and Little Rissington. They arrived back at Oxford at around 2100.

Steve Bridgewater said:
“The start was delayed by unexpected fog at Oxford and Coventry but once the weather cleared it was a fantastic day.” Supported by Spitfire Ale, the challenge was aimed at supporting the charity Flying Scholarship for the Disabled.

One pilot who has benefited from the scholarships is Mandy Pantall, a former display team wingwalker who damaged her spine in a riding accident.

Mandy said: “These scholarships really do change people’s lives. It has given me the chance to regain the gusto and excitement for life I thought I had lost.”

W: www.spitfireD2Dchallenge.co.uk