Local historian Louise Wilkinson explains why a Spitfire has arrived on a roundabout in Thornaby where it is exciting much comment.

YESTERDAY, there was a dedication ceremony for the Spitfire plane which was placed two months ago on a roundabout near the site of Thornaby aerodrome.

The Spitfire Vb has proven a controversial choice, with many air enthusiasts and letter writers to local papers, including The Northern Echo, noting that 608 Squadron - the Tees Valley's auxiliary squadron, which was based at Thornaby during the Second World War - did not fly Spitfires until after the war. First, it flew Avro Ansons and, later, Lockheed Hudsons.

But both the cost and the size of a replica Hudson aircraft meant it was completely unfeasible to commemorate it on the roundabout.

A Spitfire Vb was chosen for two reasons. Firstly, the public are familiar with the aircraft and, in many ways, see the Spitfire as symbolising the British aerial fight for survival during the war.

Secondly, because between January and August 1943, Spitfire Vbs were located at Thornaby Aerodrome on detachment from RAF Catterick.

They came with 401 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, which was on detachment from January 25 to May 27, and was followed by 306 (Polish) Squadron from May until the end of August.

The Spitfire commemorates the presence of flying at Thornaby from its start in 1912. The aerodrome itself wasn't formally created until September 29, 1929, and it closed in 1958.

The history of the aerodrome will be presented on three interpretation boards and one art board, which will show a plan of the airfield superimposed on a plan of Thornaby today. The art board will be in Thornaby Avenue.

The first interpretation board, covering the aerodrome's history from 1912 to 1939, will be in Bader Avenue.

The second board, covering the Second World War, will be located on the opposite side of Bader Avenue. The final board, covering the post-war years to closure, will be in Thornaby Avenue.

As the project researcher, I have written the content of the three interpretation boards and provided the photographs. I have tried to present a potted history of the aerodrome and give people a flavour of the role of the aerodrome without giving too much detail. I have also written a teachers' pack for use in primary schools which can be accessed through Stockton council's School Resources website at www.train. stockton.gov.uk

To me, as a local historian, it is important that we are aware of, and proud of, our local history and that we celebrate the lives of those who have gone before us, thinking about the ways in which their presence improved our world.

The Spitfire is one way in which the history of Thornaby Aerodrome can be remembered and by visiting the site, local residents both young and old can learn about the importance of the aerodrome and of some of the local men who served there.

The type of plane that is on the roundabout, therefore, should not be the central issue. What we should be saying is how great it looks, and how wonderful it is that people have worked so hard to make us all more aware of Thornaby's past.