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Royal Air Force
"Per Ardua ad Astra" (Through adversity to the stars)
~ Royal Air Force Motto
On September 15, 1940, Battle of Britain Day marked one of the defining moments in the struggle for Britain’s skies. That morning, the Luftwaffe launched a massive assault intended to overwhelm Britain’s air defences, but the Royal Air Force fought back with extraordinary determination.
Central to that defence were two aircraft that would become enduring symbols of the Battle of Britain—the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane. Their pilots, supported by the vast network of people on the ground who kept them flying, helped prevent the Luftwaffe from gaining the air superiority needed for a German invasion.
Although the Red Lichtie Spitfire EP121 entered service after the Battle of Britain, its story continued that remarkable wartime relationship between Britain’s communities and the RAF.
This tartan was created to honour the Spitfire, and particularly Red Lichtie Spitfire EP121, funded by the people of Arbroath through their £5,000 “Spitfire Fund.” Built at Castle Bromwich and delivered on 24 May 1942, the aircraft was named for the townsfolk of Arbroath, affectionately known as the “Red Lichties.”
The nickname comes from the red light—the “Red Lichtie”—associated with Arbroath’s harbour and abbey and traditionally said to have helped guide local fishermen safely home. The aircraft bearing that name became a powerful symbol of Arbroath’s contribution to the wider RAF war effort.
Registered in 2018–2019 to commemorate the RAF’s centenary, the tartan echoes the colours of the aircraft itself: green and grey for its camouflage; red, white, blue and yellow for the RAF roundel and tail markings; and a single red stripe in tribute to Red Lichtie.
EP121’s service came to an end on 26 June 1943, when the aircraft crashed following engine failure while approaching to land. Fortunately, its pilot survived.
So on Battle of Britain Day, this tartan recalls not only one particular Spitfire, but the aircraft, aircrews, ground crews and communities whose combined efforts helped defend Britain’s skies. ❤️ 💚 🤍 💙 💛 🛩️ 🛩️ 🛩️
The distinctive round window high in the ruins of the south transept of Arbroath Abbey was originally lit up at night as a beacon to guide the fishermen in to harbour. It is known locally as the ‘Round O’, and from this tradition, inhabitants of Arbroath are colloquially known as ‘Reid Lichties.'
During WWII The people of Arbroath started a ‘Spitfire Fund’ to raise £5,000 and purchase a Spitfire to help with the war effort.
They succeededand a MkVb Spitfire EP121 was built at Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory and delivered on the 24th May 1942, to the RAF at Burtonwood and named the ‘Red Lichtie’ after the people of Arbroath who purchased it.
This tartan by Stephen Patrick Sim embeds the tartan’s creation date and registration date to commemorate the 100th anniversary year of the RAF, 1st April 2018 to 1st April 2019, and in so doing also recognises the iconic fighter plane and its key role in winning the Battle of Britain.
Colours and geometry: the tartan’s asymmetric design of green and grey represents the spitfire’s camouflage; the red, white, blue and yellow stripes form a representation of the historic RAF roundel and the tail liveries on the aircraft. The single red stripe in the tartan becomes a mark of respect for the ‘Red Lichtie’, which ended its service on the 26th June 1943 suffering from an engine cut on approach causing it to stall and crash. The pilot survived.
For more about the Red Lichtie, click the the plane!