(ABC News) – A rebuilt Spitfire plane from World War II is taking to the skies after two years of restoration.
Pilots Steve Brooks and Matt Jones are attempting a record-breaking flight around the world in four months.
The plane has been modified to carry eight fuel tanks, but the pilots will stop to refuel in 30 different countries and make approximately 100 flight segments on their journey.
The route is 27,000 miles long, departing out of Sussex, England, and traveling West to North America.
The historic aircraft is comprised of 90% of its original materials and is not painted so it better reflects its original design.
Spitfire planes played a significant role in the Battle of Britain.
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This story was originally published on August 6, 2019