See a Historic Spitfire Repainted in Tribute to Fallen RAF Pilot Mark Long

A historic Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has been repainted as a tribute to a fallen Royal Air Force pilot, linking living aviation history with personal loss. The aircraft now carries markings that quietly tell the story of Squadron Leader Mark Long, an experienced display pilot whose death earlier this year was felt deeply across the aviation community and wider defense aviation circles.

The repainting was not done for spectacle, but as a sign of respect. It allows the public to see a name and code that reflect service, skill, and memory, while keeping the focus on the aircraft and the role it continues to play at public events and formal ceremonies.

A Loss Felt Across the RAF

Squadron Leader Mark Long was flying a Spitfire as part of an official display when the aircraft crashed into a field in Lincolnshire on May 25, 2024. He died from head and neck injuries, as later confirmed during an inquest held in June 2024. The investigation into the crash is ongoing under the Defence Accident Investigation Branch, with proceedings expected to continue later this year.

At the time of his death, Long was in his fourth season with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which is based at RAF Coningsby. The unit is responsible for keeping several historic aircraft flying, and its pilots are trusted not only with complex flying, but also with representing the RAF’s past to the public.

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The Tribute Aircraft

To honor Long, BBMF leaders chose Spitfire TE311, another aircraft in the flight, to carry a special repaint. The plane now displays the fictional squadron code L-NG, carefully chosen to reflect the pilot’s surname without altering historical markings tied to wartime units.

Long’s name has also been added beneath the cockpit, placed where ground crews and pilots alike will see it during routine operations. The change is subtle, but meaningful, fitting the tone of remembrance rather than display. The aircraft remains fully operational and continues to appear at scheduled flypasts and air shows across the country.

Public Remembrance

The tribute was formally acknowledged during the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. A wreath was laid in Long’s memory, marking the moment within one of the world’s largest military aviation events. The setting connected modern audiences with both past aircraft and present service.

Long’s family later shared that he lived with passion, humor, and dedication, qualities that shaped both his career and personal life. His colleagues described him as calm, focused, and deeply respectful of the aircraft he flew. While the investigation continues, the repainted Spitfire now serves as a moving reminder each time it takes to the air during commemorative flights across the United Kingdom.