SUMMER KIDZ: Spitfire is the star of weekend car show in Ilkeston

The aircraft is a 1940s Spitfire which will be parked on Ilkeston Market Place.

The annual Ilkeston Heritage and Classic Car Show – an extravaganza that attracts thousands – usually boasts a flyover by a wartime plane such as a fighter or Lancaster bomber.

But this year, organisers decided to give crowds a close-up eyeful – by arranging for a Spitfire to join the old cars, buses, trucks and motorcycles that take over the centre of town every August.

The plane on display is a Mark 9 version – with an upgraded Rolls Royce Merlin engine that instilled terror in Hitler’s Luftwaffe. 

Also on show will be “a very special visitor” – a 600bhp 27-litre Hispano Suiza V12 affectionately known as "Sid".

The vehicle is a replica of a car that set a 1920s land speed record. It will be in town to help raise money for the local Ben’s Den charity. 

This year’s car show is on Sunday 11th August. It is the tenth to be held – and it promises to be the most impressive yet.

Mayor, Councillor Kate Fennelly will be attending. Erewash Borough Council Deputy Leader Becca Everett, who is also Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “The car show continues to go from strength to strength – and is a fantastic day out for all the family. It is second only to Ilkeston’s famous Charter Fair in attracting crowds. The Spitfire will be a huge draw, especially with 2024 seeing the 80th anniversary of D-Day.”