U.A.
I am all in favour of seeing interesting aircraft, given the opportunity, but consider the situation, at least according to the previous posts:
As required by the R of the A, Spitfire pilot requests information to transit the ATZ at 1500 ft (height or altitude? - quite a difference). He is then encouraged by the AGCS operator (who has zero authority) to make an approach at low level (even with a specific height of 50 feet mentioned), at short notice, when the pilot has never intended or planned to make such a manoeuvre, and with no prior intention of practising an approach as such. The only reason for such practices is merely the salacious gratification of the pilot or others and is certainly not "normal aviation practice" - as, indeed, you refer to a "beat up". Then consider if there were to be an incident or a member of the public were to complain about perceived "cowboy" practices or noise, low flying etc and the previous facts were then disclosed, how do you think that serves the cause of that aerodrome or GA in general?
2 s