HISTORIC aircraft were seen over the skies of south Essex as part of a memorial flypast. 

The Queen has led the nation in marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain - watching a flypast of historic aircraft over London.

Spitfires and Hurricanes - fighters synonymous with the Second World War aerial conflict - flew over Buckingham Palace as the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and Duke of Cambridge looked on.

The planes from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight were joined by their modern counterparts, Typhoon jets, which produced a deafening roar.

Among the guests invited to witness the fly past were six RAF Battle of Britain pilots - famously dubbed the "few" by wartime prime minister Winston Churchill.

Leading the flypast in a Spitfire was Squadron Leader Duncan Mason, officer commanding the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at RAF Coningsby, who said: "For us, taking part was an incredible honour.

"Events like these events don't happen, but today gave us - the RAF and the nation - the opportunity to commemorate and recognise those extraordinary feats 75 years ago.

"Knowing that six Battle of Britain veteran pilots were watching us, flying the very same aircraft they won the battle in, was humbling and I hope we did them proud."