The Spitfire Blog

Nationwide Cinema Locations for RAF100

The great actor Ray Winstone has kindly given his support to spread the word of this incredible story of our history and what the previous generation had to do in silence during the war. Support like his and yours made our little film to go nationwide on the RAF100 day.

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At cinemas nationwide on July 1st

At cinemas nationwide on July 1st

Secret Spitfires will be in cinemas nationwide on July 1st to celebrate RAF100. This will be a special showing of the new Director’s Cut with much new information gathered since the showing before Christmas, but we need your help to increase the number of venues the film will show.

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Our amazing ATA Girl Mary Ellis is 101 today!

Our amazing ATA Girl Mary Ellis is 101 today!

Our amazing ATA Girl Mary Ellis is 101 today! She's such an important part of our history, the stories she told us about the war and her life are simply incredible and awe inspiring for every generation. We wish her a Happy Birthday and many more joyful years to come.

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A new play about secret factories coming to Southampton

A new play about secret factories coming to Southampton

Our very good friends and colleagues at the Nuffield Theatre (NTS) are putting on a play about the secret Spitfire factories in Southampton called The Shadow Factory, featuring Anita Dobson & Lorna Fitzgerald. There are various supporting events with Dan Snow,...

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Secret Spitfires coming to Odeon Trowbridge 24th November

Secret Spitfires coming to Odeon Trowbridge 24th November

After running into its 3rd week in Salisbury with sell-out shows, Secret Spitfires is coming to Odeon Trowbridge. This has come about by a public campaign led by Wendy & Sally from Trowbridge who have been supporters of the project since the beginning. They both...

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Secret Spitfires hits the big screen!

Secret Spitfires hits the big screen!

Our film was recently picked up by the Odeon Cinemas as a feature documentary. It is rare for a documentary to make the big screen and you can imagine our excitement when we were asked, possibly one of the greatest compliments for this incredible story. It came about...

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The role of the Spitfire at Dunkirk

The role of the Spitfire at Dunkirk

The only hope for halting the German bombardment, was the RAF. Pilots' log book files detail how British fighters intercepted huge numbers of German planes- the reason for this, the mighty Supermarine Spitfire Mk1. Built for high speed manoeuvres, the Spitfire was...

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Special screening for Secret Factory Girl

Special screening for Secret Factory Girl

When we did our private screening for all the cast of our documentary, Joyce, one of our Trowbridge Secret Factory girls, was unable to make it due to her health. We were not going to let that get in the way so we took the film and gave her a special screening along...

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She wanted to meet him but dreaded seeing him!

She wanted to meet him but dreaded seeing him!

She saw him every morning, always wanted to speak to him but dreaded seeing him. During the war Adele was a young teenager, with her dad away in the war, she helped her mum looking after her two little brothers. Gordon was the Telegram Boy doing his deliveries on his...

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Glenn Miller & Joe Louis in Victoria Park Salisbury

Glenn Miller & Joe Louis in Victoria Park Salisbury

Glenn Miller and the world heavyweight champion Joe Louis performed in Victoria Park during the war. During the days of the Secret Spitfire Factories, there was not much rest for anyone who lived and worked here. Constant worry of bad news regarding loved ones at war,...

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They built Spitfires right in the centre of Salisbury

They built Spitfires right in the centre of Salisbury

Who would have thought it possible that a handful of young girls, women, boys and a few elderly men could build thousands of Spitfires hidden in sheds, garages, bus depots and a hotel right in the centre of Salisbury? This incredible story is being told for the very...

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Many nationalities fought at the Battle of Britain

Many nationalities fought at the Battle of Britain

During the Battle of Britain many other nationalities fought for Britain to defeat the Nazis. Many of them volunteered to serve in the RAF, some were from the British Empire and others were refugees and exiles from occupied Europe. We have been told of many acts of...

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Secret Factory Romance

Even during the worst times in our lives, people find a way to see the good. Love and romance has no boundaries and one such case is that of our Secret Factory worker Joan. She was a young girl who went to work at Chattis...

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Barnardo’s boy and 40 slices of bread.

Our witness and historical advisor Norman Parker was a Barnardo's boy who was evacuated during the war. He is very proud of his past and how Barnardo's helped him become an aircraft engineer. During this process he also...

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