Flypast to commemorate Battle of Britain anniversary

Two Kent Veterans who helped defend the nation during World War Two have been presented with a new commemorative medal which pays tribute to the sacrifice made by men and women between July and October 1940 in the the Battle of Britian.

It was a remarkable moment in history -a spectacle for us all to see - and a poignant tribute - 75 years since the Battle of Britain.

At two o'clock this afternoon around 40 spitfires and hurricanes took off from the wartime RAF airbase at Goodwood in Sussex following ten different flightpaths across the South. Their formations could be seen from the Isle of Wight, over Portsmouth, Ringwood, Weymouth and Salisbury up to Basingstoke, Aldershot and Reading.

Other formations could be spotted over Bognor, Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Folkestone, Dover, Tunbridge Wells, Haywards Heath and back to Goodwood.

Ninety-five-year-old Battle of Britain wing commander Tom Neil was in the plane that led the flypast, watched by Prince Harry. Andrew Pate was among the crowds to see them take off.

The Battle of Britain was a response to a full scale assault from the Germans in an attempt to wipe out our fighting capacity, and launch a full-scale invasion.

Standing in the way of the Nazis were the pilots of Fighter Command. As Derek Johnson reports, they had courage and skill - but also a real sense of camaraderie.

The Battle of Britain anniversary flypast was delayed until this afternoon. Around 40 Spitfires and Hurricanes took part.

Around 40 Spitfires and Hurricanes are flying across the South to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The flypast, from Goodwood, was delayed because of bad weather. More video will be uploaded during the afternoon.

Prince Harry won't now fly in a Spitfire, to take part in today's Battle of Britain anniversary flypast. The aircraft is unserviceable. Instead, he will watch the flypast.

The flypast to commemorate the Battle of Britain anniversary was delayed until 2pm because of bad weather. Prince Harry has inspected the iconic aircraft.

Prince Harry inspects Battle of Britain aircraft at Goodwood. The flypast was delayed until 2pm.

Weather conditions have delayed the Battle of Britain flypast until 2pm.