Last of the few. The only Spitfire still airworthy to have fought in the Battle of Britain thrilled the crowds at the Yorkshire Air Museum’s Thunder Day.

Yesterday’s fly-past was by a Spitfire MK11a which is the pride of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

As well as the only Spitfire to be still flying from The Finest Hour, number P7350 is also the oldest Spitfire in the world which can still take to the skies.

The aircraft entered service with the RAF in August 1940, with 266 Squadron at Wittering and Hornchurch at the height of the battle with the Luftwaffe.

The aircraft was damaged in combat with a German ME Bf109 on 25th October 1940, suffering a hit by cannon fire.

Polish pilot, Ludwick Martel was badly wounded by shrapnel, but managed stay conscious just long enough to fly through the clouds and crash land.

Back in action in 1941, the plane served with 616 Squadron over occupied France before being pensioned off in April 1942.

The aircraft is painted in the colours of Battle of Britain ace Eric Lock, who shot down three enemy aircraft in one sortie on September 5 1940.

Ian Richardson, of the Museum, said: “To have this aircraft, which is a remarkable survivor of the Battle of Britain, allocated for our event was truly wonderful.”