July 13, 2020 12.17 pm This story is over 43 months old

Spitfire flies over Lincolnshire hospitals with ‘thank you NHS’ message

See more photos inside from a local photographer

A Lincolnshire photographer snapped stunning photos of an NHS Spitfire flying over hospitals in Lincolnshire at the weekend.

The Second World War fighter plane has been flying across the country to mark the NHS’ 72nd birthday and to thank them for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

It has ‘Thank U NHS’ written below its wings, as well as handwritten names of health and local heroes.

Photo: Mark Suffield

Photo: Mark Suffield

It flew over Lincoln County Hospital on Saturday, July 11 and Mark Suffield, who lives in Sleaford, caught the special moment on camera.

The Spitfire, which took off and landed from Humberside Airport, also flew over Scunthorpe General Hospital, County Hospital Louth and Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby.

Family-owned engineering business Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo), which is based at Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire, organised the special flypasts.

Photo: Mark Suffield

The firm said that between July 5 and September 20, it will hand write 80,000 names on its photo-reconnaissance blue Spitfire PL983 ‘L’ of local heroes.

Photo: Mark Suffield

Photo: Mark Suffield

Until September 20, people can nominate someone for a special mention by donating a minimum of £10 here.