PLANE fans were walking on air as they saw historic fighter plane doing circuit training over Southend Airport.


The 1944-built Second World War two-seater Spitfire aircraft was seen training in the skies above the airport on Friday afternoon.


The iconic aircraft is synonymous with Second World War aerial conflict along with Hurricanes aircraft.
 

Echo: Historic - The plane is known for its exploits during the Second World WarHistoric - The plane is known for its exploits during the Second World War (Image: Simon Murdoch)

More than 20,000 of the aircraft were built but only about 240 are known to exist today and of those only about 60 are airworthy.


Many are seen during air displays including the Clacton airshow which is staged each August.


Southend Airport was known as RAF Rochford during the war.

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Spitfires are also famous for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which takes place at state occasions and may appear during next week's coronation.