A MODERN take on a famous Second World War aircraft that took thousands of hours to build has celebrated its first official flight.

Enstone Flying Club has been working since 2010 on a project to build 12 modern-day versions of the Oxfordshire Spitfire to form the City of Oxford squadron.

At the weekend 200 people gathered at the club to witness the first completed aircraft on its maiden flight.

Paul Fowler, the man behind the ambitious project, said he was so proud to be part of it.

The Enstone Flying Club skipper said: "Lots of people have been involved and this event was a thank you to them for staying with the project.

"I was really pleased with the number of people who came along. That was the important thing.

"They could see what was being achieved. It was its first official flight with a permit. It has to go through a number of test flights to prove it's airworthy.

"She's lovely. A stunning piece of engineering – beautiful."

Matt Hancock, local amateur photographer and plane enthusiast, went along to watch the first Spitfire take off.

The 51-year-old said: "A friend of mine saw it advertised on Facebook and I live in Heyford so I popped along, being a bit of an aeroplane geek.

"They brought it out the hangar. We all went in and had a look and took some photos and then the pilot came along and it took off.

"He did a bit of a display."

The two-seater Mk26B is built from kits imported from the USA, took about 6,000 hours to build, and cost a little more than £200,000.

They do not have the unmistakeable roar of a Rolls Royce Merlin engine but instead have V6 ones built by General Motors. The first plane is owned by 12 shareholders, including Mr Fowler.

The skipper also wants to name all the aircraft after Oxfordshire people – whether they flew them during the war or were involved in building or maintaining them.

He is keen on hearing from people who want to be part of the project, whether by sponsoring a plane or becoming a shareholder.

He said: "We are hoping to get community groups and companies from all over the world to get behind it to sponsor the 12 aircraft.

"We are offering a special sponsorship package to 100 individuals or companies from Oxfordshire to donate £3,600 each, which would pay to build a unique Oxford Spitfire and run it for a year."

Anyone interested in sponsoring a Spitfire or putting someone forward for tribute can email skipper@enstoneflyingclub.co.uk to talk to Mr Fowler.