GRR

History awaits at the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation

16th July 2025
Rachel Roberts

Before the Goodwood Motor Circuit was a destination for some of the greatest drivers of the 1950s and ‘60s, it was the setting for action of a different type, as the perimeter track of RAF Westhampnett. At Revival, this military history is honoured with the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation presented by Bonhams|Cars concours d’elegance for pre-1966 aircraft.

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Named after the Duke of Richmond’s grandfather, Freddie, an early pioneer of aviation engineering, the FMSOA brings together some of the most elegant and rarely seen machines from aviation history on a site where many once flew from during World War II.

Spitfires are always a popular attraction, revered for their role in the Battle of Britain in 1940, and one of the most famous models will be in attendance for this year‘s FMSOA, Supermarine Spitfire IX MH434 (G-ASJV). Completed in August 1943, 434 was delivered to 222 Squadron at RAF Hornchurch in Essex, where it remained based for the duration of its wartime service. It served its final mission in March 1944, before finding a new life with the Royal Netherlands Air Force and then in Belgium.

It became a film star in the 1960s and the growing interest in historical aircraft led it to being purchased by Ray Hanna, founding member of the Red Arrows, in 1983. Hanna’s company, the Old Flying Machine Company ensured 434’s post-war story continued, flying it for films and at events, work it still does to this day, 20 years after Hanna’s passing.

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It'll be joined at Revival by the ML417, first delivered to 443 (Hornet) Sqn RCAF in April 1944, as part of a Squadron carrying out missions to aid the liberation of occupied Europe. 417 served with five squadrons towards the end of the war, before being converted for training purposes. It was reverted to its original form in the 1970s after being sold into private ownership and continues to fly at events to this day.

The final confirmed aircraft for the FMSOA so far is not a Spitfire but a Hurricane, P2902. Operational in Scotland with 245 Fighter Squadron by May 1940, it was engaged on shipping protection patrols and then worked with Pilot Officer Kenneth McGlashan over the French coast to provide cover during the evacuation of Dunkirk. McGlashan was hit and crash landed on a beach, where P2902 remained until it was recovered by enthusiasts in 1988. It has since been restored to flying condition and will join its brethren at Revival later this year.

Those are just three examples, but each aircraft that will make up the concours d’elegance has a story of service and heroism just like them. We’re looking forward to learning more at the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation at Revival come September.

 

Tickets for the Goodwood Revival are limited! Saturday tickets have sold out, so secure your Friday and Sunday tickets to avoid missing out on the world's best historic motorsport event.

 Photography by Lee Carpenter, Tom Baigent, Matt Dunkinson and Andy Donovan.

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