I NOTE with interest the “landing” of a Supermarine Spitfire at the Glasgow Science Centre to commemorate 100 years of the RAF ("Spitfire salute", The Herald, August 31).
This is a replica of the Spitfire “Red Lichtie”, so named after the people of Arbroath who raised the money for it to be built in 1942. It joined the City of Glasgow 602 Squadron in 1943 but was damaged beyond repair in June of that year.
The “Red Lichtie” name appears to have originated from a light used to guide the fishermen to harbour. Whether this was a beacon lit by the monks of Arbroath Abbey in the distinctive round window high on the south transept of the abbey or a light erected by harbour authorities in later years is a matter of conjecture.
Fergus Ellen,
5 Lochend Road, Bearsden.
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