A FULL-size replica Spitfire is set to be on display in Yelverton throughout August, including for the RAF Harrowbeer weekend and the 1940s event. The Spitfire Society took over the ownership of the replica Spitfire and is in the process of a restoration programme on it. The South Devon Flight, a local Spitfire members group, has arranged for it to be on display at Knightstone Tearooms for the month, as well as to make an appearance at the RAF Harrowbeer Archive weekend on August 23, 24 and 25, and the Harrowbeer 1940s event on August 16 and 17. The replica Spitfire Vb was originally commissioned in the 1960s by the Svendsen family and presented to the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum in Sussex in memory of their son Aksel. Aksel Andreas Svendsen was born in Copenhagen in 1922 and moved with his family to Britain in 1929 to live in Exeter. At the age of 17 and the start of World War 2, Aksel volunteered to join the Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserves. In July 1941, he completed his flying training along with two other Danish pilots, was awarded his coveted Flying Wings and commissioned to the rank of pilot officer. The three Danish pilots completed their initial training in December 1941 and all three were posted to No 32 Squadron, flying Hawker Hurricanes. In April 1942, Aksel was posted to RAF Ibsley and No 234 (Madras Presidency) Squadron. At this time the Squadron was converting to Spitfire Vbs, of which three had been donated by Denmark and named after Danish kings. Later that month, he was detailed to carry out an operation with his squadron over France flying a Spitfire Vb named 'Valdemar Atterdag' — the first of the Danish presentation Spitfires. Aksel had already logged 30 operations with a total of 26 flying hours in a Spitfire, but this one was to be his last. Nine Spitfires were lost on this operation, and Pilot Officer Aksel was killed three days before his 20th birthday. The Spitfire Society is a registered charity and international organisation which aims to advance the education of the public and research all matters relating to the Spitfire and its designer R J Mitchell, and to award bursaries and awards. It also awards bursaries in the name of the society for the advancement of aeronautics, astronautics and associated subjects. Further information about the Spitfire Society or events can be obtained from the Spitfire Society membership secretaries at Knightstone Tearooms in Yelverton, or call Michael and Lucy Hayes on 01822 853679.