A team from Goodwood recently accomplished an aviation first: flying around the globe in a Spitfire. Pilot Matt Jones shared his story with Steve Beebee

Shortly after 1330hrs on December 5,2019, the wheels of Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX MJ271, better known as The Silver Spitfire’, touched down on the grass at Goodwood in West Sussex. The airfield, formerly RAF Westhampnett, had once thundered to the tune of Spitfires flown by wartime greats Douglas Bader, ‘Johnnie’ Johnson and Hugh Dundas. If its earth and firmament could talk, they would surely speak of great dramas, huge personalities and heroic achievements. Now they could add another chapter to the story.