Three Typhoon jets have performed a special flypast in memory of the RAF pilot who died in a Spitfire crash at the weekend.
Squadron Leader Mark Long was killed when his World War Two-era fighter crashed to the ground within a few minutes of takeoff from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, during a Battle of Britain event.
Having piloted the fighters for four years, Sqn Ldr Long was due to take over the memorial flight next year.
After the crash, the RAF said in a touching statement that he was 'a great friend, colleague and a passionate, professional aviator' who will be 'sorely missed'.
Tributes also flooded in with The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer among those to express their sadness.
Three Typhoon jets have performed a special flypast in memory of the RAF pilot who died in a Spitfire crash at the weekend
Squadron Leader Mark Long was killed when his World War Two-era fighter crashed to the ground within a few minutes of takeoff from RAF Coningsby
The Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth flew in 'missing man' formation (pictured) to remember their colleague
Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth flew in 'missing man' formation to remember their former colleague yesterday.
The base shared the clip to X with the caption: 'In remembrance of Squadron Leader Mark Long. Per ardua ad astra [through adversity to the stars - motto of the RAF].'
Sqn Ldr Long had flown Typhoons too - at RAF Coningsby - and took to Instagram just weeks before the memorial show to share his excitement.
In a post dated March 4, the Squadron Leader shared videos of Hurricane and Spitfire aeroplanes in flight with the caption: 'We are only a few weeks away from getting back flying in these iconic aircraft. Cannot wait!!!'
His death has seen the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) paused while a formal investigation takes place amid the battle's 85th anniversary.
It was the first fatality involving a BBMF aircraft since its creation in July 1957, a retired RAF leader told the BBC.
The BBMF operates six Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Lancaster, a C47 Dakota, and two Chipmunk aircraft.
Gp Capt Robbie Lees, commander of the RAF's Display Air Wing, said on Sunday: 'I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the RAF personnel, and our emergency services colleagues who responded so swiftly yesterday.
'Our thoughts remain with Mark's family and friends to whom we offer our deepest sympathies. We ask that their privacy be respected at this tragic and shocking time.'
Sqn Ldr Long joined the Air Force in 2003, having graduated from the University of Warwick.
Squadron Leader Mark Long had flown Spitfires for four years and was due to take over the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in 2025
Sqn Ldr Mark Long pictured reading a map on an RAF airplane
The location where the Spitfire crashed in a field on on Langrick Road at RAF Coningsby
Mark Long flying the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire MK356
During his career, Sqn Ldr Long was posted to 11 Squadron at Coningsby, deploying to the Baltics and the South Atlantic.
A spectator who witnessed the horrific moment the Spitfire plane nose-dived to the ground, killing the pilot instantly, said: 'Sadly he didn't stand a chance.'
The former RAF air craftsman, speaking after the death of the experienced and respected flier during a Battle of Britain event, said: 'I've seen a lot of terrible things in my life but this is up there with the worst.'
Flowers have been laid at RAF Coningsby in the days since by dozens of air enthusiasts, including Tony who said: 'A Hurricane was going to take off after the Spitfire but his flight was aborted.
'It is too difficult to estimate the speed.
'I couldn't clearly see the spot it came down but pictures show it was right beside a house and a tractor so no doubt other people witnessed it too. It is a terrible tragedy.'
The man, who lives locally, told how he often took his stepson to watch the planes in action at the airfield.
He paid warm tribute to the pilot as a 'remarkable and wonderful man' and thrilled children with his 'pep talks.'
He recalled: 'At the end of a flight Mark would always make a point of coming up to the big wire fence and give the kids a pep talk through it.
'He'd still be in his uniform, and he'd still have his flight maps pinned to his trousers, above the knees and would pass them to the children through the fence.
'I didn't know him personally but I knew him by reputation as a great pilot and a remarkable and wonderful man.
'He always made time to speak to people so I had to come here today to pay my respects.
'He told the kids that it was dream to become a pilot but he had failed four or five times.
'His message to them was never to give up and that you can always live your dream.
'It is such a terrible tragedy that it was to end in this way for him.'
The scene where the pilot died in a crash during a Battle of Britain event near RAF Coningsby
Tributes left by supporters at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, for the renowned pilot
Tributes left by supporters at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire to the deceased pilot
Squadron Leader Long shared footage of a World War II-era plane in flight just weeks before his tragic death. In the post, he said he 'cannot wait' to fly the vintage aircraft in a few weeks
The RAF said in a touching statement that he was 'a great friend, colleague and a passionate, professional aviator'
The Spitfire came down at around 1.20pm on Saturday during a display at RAF Coningsby.
He said the pilot 'must have known there was a problem and he was in difficulty' and would have raised the alarm, saying: 'He would have radio called because in less than a minute the fire service and ambulances were there.
'The whole episode from take off to crash probably only lasted two and a half minutes.'
Photos from the scene show emergency services gathered around the wreckage of the plane just feet away from a house.
It had been taking part in a civilian airshow just nine miles from the base to commemorate the RAF's role in fending off German attacks during the Second World War.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared their condolences, saying they were 'incredibly sad' to hear of the tragedy.
Kate and William, who himself served as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot, said in a joint statement that it was 'incredibly sad to hear of the news' and added that their 'thoughts this evening are with the pilot's loved ones, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the wider RAF family.'
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wrote on X: 'Awful news to see the life of a serving RAF pilot cut short in this tragic event. My thoughts are with their family and loved ones.'
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was 'deeply saddened' by the news, and thanked the emergency services for their response, adding 'my thoughts are with the pilot's family at this awful time.'
The crash has been described as a 'tragic accident' by officials but an investigation has been opened into the cause.
Police and ambulance crews raced to the scene and a rescue helicopter was scrambled from neighbouring Humberside.
A statement from the Ministry of Defence stated: 'It is with great sadness that we must confirm the death of an RAF pilot in a tragic accident near RAF Coningsby today [Saturday].
'The pilot's family has been informed and we ask that their privacy is respected at this time.'
Lincolnshire Police added: 'We are sad to confirm that a man has died after a plane crashed into a field on Langrick Road in Coningsby earlier today.
'The man was the pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft. Police are not in a position to confirm his name but his next of kin have been informed. Nobody else is thought to have been injured as a result.
'The incident was called into police just before 1.20pm today [Saturday, May 25] and emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene.
'Sadly, the injuries the pilot sustained were not survivable and he was declared deceased at the scene.
'Investigations are ongoing into the cause.'
File image shows the Prince and Princess of Wales with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, at RAF Fairford last year
Spitfires played a crucial role in the war, especially during the Battle of Britain which earned the plane's power status.
Designed as a short-range, high-performance aeroplane, over 20,300 Spitfires were built to secure British success during WW2.
It proved to be a watershed moment for the Nazis' territorial aims as they then shifted their focus to conquering Britain.
Aware of the resilience of the RAF, German aircrafts bombarded British airfield bases until the autumn of 1940.
