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an raf pilot, who died
when his spitfire crashed
during a battle of britain memorial
flight, has been named
as squadron leader mark long.
the vintage aircraft came down
in a field near raf coningsby
in lincolnshire yesterday.
phil norton has the story.
hugely respected
and highly talented.
squadron leader mark long was one
of the raf�*s finest pilots.
he served his country in modern day
fighterjets and relished the chance
to honour wartime heroes.
he was due to take command
at the battle of britain memorial
flight later this year.
outside the hangar at the team's
base at raf coningsby,
where he took off from on saturday,
a sign still shows the expected
departure and return time
for the spitfire he was flying.
but the aircraft crashed
into a field a short distance
from the lincolnshire runway.
a great friend, colleague
and a passionate professional