TWO iconic fighter planes represented The Few who flew so bravely in the Battle of Britain when they passed over Hendon and Cricklewood yesterday afternoon.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight took off from Biggin Hill at 3.40pm before passing over the cabinet war offices enroute to Hendon, where it reached the skies above the RAF museum at just after 4pm.

The flight took the planes on historic tour of all Battle of Britain stations and formed part of the commemorations associated with the 70th anniversary of one of the defining conflicts of the Second World War.

A Spitfire and a Hurricane flew in formation and circled around the south of the borough, with one pilot pulling a number of stunt moves to wow all those who took to the streets, gardens and parks to witness the flypast.

Despite the grey and cloudy backdrop, the aircraft gave an impressive display, with the deep growl of their Rolls Royce Merlin engines drowning out the modern day din of traffic and trains.

Originally, four planes were meant to take part in the spectacle, including P7350, the oldest airworthy Spitfire and the only one still flying to have actually fought in the Battle of Britain.

There was also Hurricane LF363, the last to enter service with the RAF, and Spitfire AB910, which flew more than 143 operational missions in the Second World War, along with Hurricane R4118, which is the only one from the Battle of Britain still flying.

Staff at the RAF museum, in Grahame Park Way, estimated more than 1,000 people went into the main car park to watch the planes fly overhead.

The site of the museum was formerly part of Hendon aerodrome, which was operational during the battle and base for a Hurricane squadron.

The planes flew off towards Bentley Priory before making their scheduled landing at RAF Northolt at about 5.20pm.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has been hailed as a “national institution” and is recognised as being a “priceless assets of British aviation heritage”, which is based at Royal Air Force Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

Staff at the Ministry of defence said: “The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight continues to play a central role in the commemorations associated with the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. “Throughout the display season the vintage aircraft have been carrying out numerous flypasts and displays at air shows and events to support the anniversary.”