Squadron Leader Who Flew Over IRON MAIDEN's Set At Donington Park - "I’d Have Never Thought That A Bunch Of Metal Fans Would Be Interested In RAF Craft But I’ve Been Proved Wrong"
June 25, 2013, 11 years ago
IRON MAIDEN brought their Maiden England World Tour to the UK’s Download Festival on Saturday, June 15th at the legendary Donington Park to headline for a record fifth time (following 1988,1992, 2003 and 2007). The band's set was kicked off by a stunning flyover by a Spitfire TE311, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight stationed at RAF Coningsby.
Squadron Leader Andrew Millikin was behind the controls of the aircraft as it flew over 90,000 expectant fans. Before Iron Maiden launched into their headline set, the Spitfire made three passes over the festival.
Sqn Ldr Millikin told Horncastle News: “We do flypasts all over the country but this was something completely different. We don’t normally do rock festivals. There’s been a lot of interest from fans who attended. I’d have never thought that a bunch of metal fans would be interested in RAF craft but I’ve been proved wrong. It was fantastic to fly over. I get goose bumps every time I see the Spitfire in the air so I can’t imagine what it was like down there. It was really nerve racking at times though, we wanted to make sure we were right on time for the start of the band’s performance.”
Read more at Horncastle News and check out the flyover below:
