THE biggest gathering of Battle of Britain aircraft since the Second World War will mark the aerial conflict's 75th anniversary.
Around 40 Spitfires, Hurricanes and Bristol Blenheim bombers will today fly in formation from Goodwood Aerodrome before dispersing across wartime airfields over the south of England.
Prince Harry will be taking part in the display, on his 31st birthday.
The display will be a tribute to the Second World War pilots famously dubbed The Few by wartime prime minister Winston Churchill for their efforts defeating the Luftwaffe.
During the summer and autumn of 1940, 544 personnel from Fighter Command died as the RAF fought in the skies above southern England to force back the threat of any invasion by Hitler.
The 75th anniversary is likely to be the last major one at which the surviving members of the pivotal conflict - who are now all aged well into their 90s - will be fit to take part.
Tom Neil, 95, an ex-wing commander and Battle of Britain Hurricane and Spitfire pilot, will lead the formation from the rear of a two-seater Spitfire - the symbol of Britain's fight against Nazi forces.
The event has been organised by the Boultbee Flight Academy, based in Chichester, and two of the aircraft - a Spitfire and a Hurricane - fought in the famous battle.
The flypast takes place on Harry's 31st birthday, with a Royal spokesman saying he is "incredibly honoured" to be a part of it.
When he met pilots in August last year who were training for the event he flew in a two-seater Spitfire and took the controls.
A former para and an RAF corporal will also take part in the event after winning places on a Spitfire scholarship training programme for wounded servicemen and women, and veterans.
Nathan Forster, a former private in the Parachute Regiment, from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, suffered severe damage to his left leg in an IED blast while on patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in 2011.
Corporal Alan Robinson, an RAF aircraft technician, from Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, lost a leg in a motorbike accident.
The scholarship was established by the Boultbee Flight Academy and is supported by the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry's Endeavour Fund - which donates money and offers practical help to sporting and adventure challenges for wounded ex-service personnel.
Both men followed a similar flight training programme as Second World War pilots, progressing from a Tiger Moth to a Harvard and finally to the Spitfire.
The scholarship draws inspiration from famous wartime pilot Douglas Bader, who notched up 20 individual aerial victories despite losing both legs in 1931.
UPDATE: The flypast will start at around 2pm due to bad weather this morning.
THE ROUTES AND DEPARTURE TIMES
White Route
Departs Goodwood at 2pm.
Orange route
Depart Goodwood for Bentwaters at 2.16pm.
Yellow route
Departs Goodwood for Duxford at 2.20pm.
Purple route
Departs Goodwood for Duxford at 2.28pm.
Brown route
Departs Goodwood for Biggin Hill at 2.32pm.
Black route
Departs Goodwood in a loop at 2.36pm.
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