Looking Back – The Secret Spitfires – Event 2019

In 1940, the Germans succeed in destroying the Spitfire factories in Southampton, believing they have ended the threat from their nemesis. But unknown to them, the British decide to build Spitfires in secret. Rural Towns and cities in the South of England become a major centre for manufacturing Spitfires, hidden in sheds, garages, back gardens, a bus depot and even a hotel. With a workforce mainly made up of unskilled young girls, boys, women, elderly men and a handful of engineers, thousands of Spitfires were built, becoming instrumental in winning the war.

Witnesses account this never before told story of amazing achievement, recounting times of terrible sadness as well as joyous times that include GI’s, a Glen Miller concert and a Joe Louis boxing match. It’s set against a backdrop of picturesque English countryside, the RAF pilots who fly them today and of course, the iconic Spitfires themselves. This incredible story concludes with Dame Vera Lynn reciting a moving poem written by a Spitfire pilot.

And a question and answer session afterwards with Norman Parker, one of the last Spitfires engineers who worked on these magnificent machines. Ninety year old Norman was an engineer in the final assembly plant and historical adviser to the film.