Real Spitfires are already booked up for 6 June's events

The RAF Strike Command's memorial flight is already booked up for next month's 60th anniversary.

So a model flying club has stepped in to put on a display at Chartwell, Sir Winston's residence in Kent.

An organiser told the BBC he thought spectators might mistake them for real planes if they were far enough away.

Events are being planned across the UK to mark the 60th anniversary of the D-Day Normandy landings on 6 June.

Given the right altitude and distance away from the spectators, they will easily mistake these models for the real ones Les Eagle, Bickley Model Flying Club

The National Trust, which owns Chartwell, had wanted a fly-past over wartime leader Churchill's home.

But by the time it contacted the RAF, the squadron of historic aircraft used for such events had been booked up.

With no real World War II planes available to fly over Chartwell, organisers turned to the Bickley Model Flying Club and asked for help.

The model plane enthusiasts will be flying a Lancaster bomber with an 11 ft wing span and a Spitfire measuring 6 ft across, both radio-controlled.

Club chairman Les Eagle told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It is not quite the same.

"You can never replace a Merlin engine, there is no doubt about that.

"But given the right altitude and distance away from the spectators, they will easily mistake these models for the real ones."

He said club members had researched real WWII planes to ensure the models looked authentic.