British pilots set off in silver WW2 Spitfire for historic round-the-world trip

A PAIR of Brit pilots have taken off on their challenge to fly around the globe in an original WW2 Spitfire jet.

Steve Brooks, 58 and Matt Jones, 45, will stop off at 100 locations in 30 countries during the five-month world-first journey.

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IWC Silver Spitfire pilots Matt Jones (right) and Steve Boultbee Brooks with their newly restored MK IX Spitfire at Goodwood Aerodrome[/caption]

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British aviator Steve Brooks climbs up near the cockpit of a restored World War II Silver Spitfire plane before take of[/caption]

They took off from Goodwood Aerodrome, in West Sussex, shortly after 1.30pm today with their departure preceded by an RAF display.

The pair, who run Boultbee Flight Academy at Goodwood, took to the skies in their Supermarine Spitfire, which flew 51 times in the war and has been restored over the past two years.

Speaking ahead of take-off, Matt said: “I’m a bit nervous but excited to get going. It’s been a long time in planning and we’ve put a lot of work into this plane.”

Steve added:”I am terribly excited, it has taken us two-and-a-half years and the time has come to stop making excuses and to get going.”

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Steve Brooks prepares for take-off[/caption]

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The pair are attempting to fly the MK IX Spitfire named ‘Silver Spitfire’ around the world in the first circumnavigation of the globe by a spitfire plane[/caption]

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British aviator Steve Brooks in the cockpit of the Spitfire[/caption]

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British aviator Matt Jones flies over the airfield after taking off in the restored World War II Silver Spitfire plane[/caption]

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The restored World War II Silver Spitfire plane to be used in a round-the-world flight attempt[/caption]