Fly a Spitfire at Lee-on-Solent Aerodrome
Take off from Solent Airport Daedalus and soar over the magnificent Solent coastline in a legendary Supermarine Spitfire on an unforgettable journey through history.
What you’ll experience on your Spitfire flight
Solent Airport Daedalus offers a truly historic setting for your Spitfire flight, operating from a former World War II airfield with direct ties to the D-Day landings. This remarkable location adds depth and significance to your flying experience, placing you in the footsteps of wartime heroes. And as you take to the skies, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views over the Solent and the Isle of Wight – a stunning backdrop that enhances every moment of your journey.
The airfield is easily accessible from Portsmouth and Southampton, making it a convenient choice for visitors across the South Coast. With a premium private airport atmosphere and excellent on-site facilities, Solent Airport Daedalus ensures a first-class experience from the ground up.
Every flight is conducted in an authentic WWII Spitfire, expertly piloted to give you the most thrilling and historically immersive adventure possible.
Spitfire Flight Reviews
These flyers took the leap. Here’s what they had to say when they touched the ground.
The history and heritage of Lee-on-Solent
Lee-on-Solent has a long association with both the Spitfire and the Seafire, the naval version of the iconic aircraft.
In early 1944, the main home-based units were from the Fleet Air Arm’s 885, 808, 886 and 897 Squadrons, piloting the Seafire III fitted with a Merlin 55m. Later on, towards the build up for D-Day, 26 and 63 Squadrons from the RAF moved in, as well as the US Navy VCS-7s Squadron operating Spitfire Mk Vs. The RAF units formed the 34 Reconnaissance Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force.
HMS Daedalus was the busiest airfield on the South Coast during D-Day, as the RAF were joined by Canadian Typhoons and Mustangs who also flew support sorties. On 6 June 1944, the first aircraft to take part in Operation Overlord from Lee-on-Solent took off towards the Normandy beach head. The Spitfires worked in pairs, with one aircraft spotting naval gunnery targets while the other provided fighter cover to prevent Luftwaffe fighters attacking.
435 sorties were deployed from HMS Daedalus for Operation Overlord – the most achieved by any UK airfield on D-Day. These pilots were best placed for a direct route to Normandy. They flew up over the majestic Solent, looking out to the Isle of Wight and down on the invasion fleet and support ships that left from Portsmouth and Southampton docks.
Just across the water also lies the village of Calshot, where the Schneider Trophy seaplane races were held in the 1920s and 1930s. Those competitions drove the high-speed aerodynamic advances that directly shaped the Spitfire’s design. Add in the Supermarine factory just slightly further up the river, and you can see why this area is considered to be the birthplace of the Spitfire!
The scenery out over the Isle of Wight and to the Needles was a daily vista for the wartime pilots. But now you can enjoy the scenery from the rear seat of one of our Spitfires – with no risk of being harangued by enemy aircraft!
Other things to do near Lee-on-Solent
Make the most of your time in Lee-on-Solent by soaking up the beautiful coastline and experiencing the town’s rich local history of wartime aviation and naval defence.
Southsea Castle
The D-Day Story Museum
The Isle of Wight
Gunwharf Quays
Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard
Lee-on-Solent FAQs
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Book your Spitfire flight at Lee-on-Solent
Thousands have already fulfilled their lifelong dream. Now it’s your turn to experience the roar, the roll and the thrill of flying in a Spitfire.