A 'Salute the Heroes' Spitfire flypast will commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day today.
Today marks the date in 1945 when the Nazis unconditionally surrendered to Allied forces and ended World War Two in Europe.
Dancing, singing and partying in the street has been a traditional way to celebrate May 8 ever since Churchill declared it a public holiday 75 years ago.
However, under lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, doing so is not possible this year.
But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has given special permission for a Spitfire flypast to mark the day.
The SM520 will take off from Boultbee Flight Academy in Goodwood, Sussex and loop around the South East of England
It will pass 11 set locations, which have been chosen to honour 11 individual veterans, places or groups associated with the war effort, Kent Live reports.
This includes a flyover above Colonel Tom Moore's home, the 100-year-old hero veteran who has raised more than £33 million for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden.
The route has been broken down below.
The Spitfire flyover, organised by a national newspaper, is thought to begin around midday but the Civil Aviation Authority has said no specific timing details can be given in advance.
A recorded address from the Queen is also part of a scaled back series of celebrations being organised to mark the anniversary, with original plans such as parades being put on hold due to lockdown.
Her Majesty has recorded the address in The White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle and it will be shown simultaneously on BBC One and ITV1 at 9pm.
A two minute silence will also be held at 11am today, before the broadcast of Winston Churchill’s infamous victory speech which will be aired at 3pm.
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The route
1. Waterlooville
The plane will take off from Goodwood and fly west over Wellington Care Home in Waterlooville, the Daily Mail reports.
Thomas Hyom, who served as a Loading Seaman in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, is one 60 residents at the home and recently celebrated his 102nd birthday.
2. Bracknell
It will then head North to Bracknell to honour 98-year-old Squadron Leader Stanley Booker, who was reportedly shot down over France in 1944 and imprisoned in Buchenwald Concentration Camp.
3. Hyde Heath
Flying further north, the Spitfire will pass over Rayners Care Home in Hyde Heath.
All 44 residents are reportedly from the wartime generation, including three centenarians.
4. Mareston Moretaine
The Spitfire will reach its most northern point with a flyover Colonel Tom Moore's home.
The 100-year-old veteran has raised more than £33 million for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden.
5. Horton Kirby
It will then move towards the South East, flying over London and towards Horton Kirby, a short distance from Dartford.
There lives 98-year-old Leading Aircraftman Dennis Hanigan who served in the RAF during the Second World War.
6. Maidstone
The Spitfire will continue in the same direction towards Maidstone.
Sapper George Bates, 94, is a veteran from D-Day, who reportedly landed on Gold Beach and spent five days clearing landmines.
7. East Grinstead
The SM520 will then fly across the county towards East Grinstead and could pass over Tonbridge.
This location was chosen by the public to honour Queen Victoria Hospital, which treated injured pilots during the war.
8. East Sussex
It will then drop down in the direction of Eastbourne towrds the East Sussex coastline.
This is to honour local resident Dame Vera Lynn, the 103-year-old known as the 'Forces' Sweetheart'.
9. Ovingdean
The Spitfire will move west along the coast over the centre for Blind Veterans UK.
It was built in the shape of an aircraft and is currently home to several centenarians.
10. Worthing
It will continue west to honour Care for Veterans in Worthing.
The charity provides nursing care and rehabilitation to physically disabled veterans.
11. Petworth
The Spitfire will finally fly over Petworth before returning to base at Goodwood.
It will honour Lieutenant Michael de Burgh, who served as a tank commander in the Second World War.
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