ON A clear, blue day at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock the horrors of war could not seem further away.

But a new project aims to remind everyone about the British heroes who flew Spitfire planes to defend the UK against Nazi Germany.

Ian Meadows dressed as a Second World War Spitfire pilot at an event to mark the 71st anniversary of D-Day, is part of Ace Squadron, a group aiming to build 12 new spitfire Mk266 aircraft, each finished in the likeness of a spitfire flown by a recognised “fighter ace”.

Mr Meadows said: “Since the Battle of Britain in 1940, the Spitfire has become one of the most iconic symbols of World War II.”

Ace Squadron has one plane flying and two more being built in its Oxfordshire hangar.