Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Official)

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Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Official)

The official Facebook account of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Welcome to the official RAF BBMF page.
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This page contains everything you need to stay in the know when it comes to the RAF BBMF with pictures of the historic aircraft, detailed, up-to-date information and so much more. Meet and make friends with like minded people while enjoying the benefits this page has to offer. Don’t forget to visit throughout the year as this page is never inactive! Support the BBMF by joining our official club at

www.memorialflightclub.com/join-club

The BBMF also have a twitter feed which can be found here: http://twitter.com/RAFBBMF

Key
L - Lancaster S - Spitfire H - Hurricane D - Dakota C - Chipmunk

09/09/2024

As we come ever closer to the end of the 2024 display season, we’re getting ready for our annual Members Day event at RAF Coningsby!

The event is exclusive to members of the Avro Lancaster Association and the RAF Memorial Flight Club. There are still tickets left for this years event, so why not become a member and join us on Saturday 28th September!

15/08/2024

Our Lancaster is back gracing the skies this season, and we’re now delighted to confirm the display schedule for the remainder of the year, starting today at Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow!

Where are you looking forward to seeing us display? ✈️

Please note, this list does not include flypasts and our flypasts/displays are subject to weather and serviceability.

14/08/2024

Two icons in one photograph.

Which is your favourite? 🤩✈️☀️

📸 Cpl James Smith

10/08/2024

It’s been a fantastic day here in Blackpool for day one of the airshow!

We will be back tomorrow to open the show at 1400 with the Lancaster Display, and our team will be in the military village all day, just to the right of Blackpool Tower.

06/08/2024

Today, the BBMF Bomber Aircrew took to the skies in Lancaster PA474 to practice the Lancaster display ahead of our return to the 2024 display season.

As part of the day, we are pleased to confirm that Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Mark Flewin CBE MA BEng RAF, has awarded PDA (Public Display Authority).

We are now working with event organisers to confirm our activity this season, however, subject to weather and serviceability, we are pleased to announce that the Lancaster will be at the Blackpool and Compton Abbas Airshows this weekend.

22/07/2024

This winter, the BBMF Lancaster, one of only two flying examples in the world, has undergone extensive pre-planned depth maintenance activity, including the manufacture and replacement of the entire tail plane. Now, following extensive inspections and testing, the Lancaster is ready to fly again.

BBMF Spitfire and Hurricane flying remains paused whilst the investigation into the tragic Spitfire incident continues.

20/07/2024

As a special tribute to Squadron Leader Mark Long, Spitfire TE311 has a new paint scheme.

On her Star Board side, TE311 now wears the fictitious squadron code “L-NG”, with Sqn Ldr Mark Long annotated under the cockpit along with a Sqn Ldr pennant.

The Port Side of TE311 will remain as 3W-M to continue to represent 322 (Dutch) Sqn, with nose art showing the 322 Squadron mascot, ‘Polly Grey’, a red-tailed African Grey parrot.

In memory of Sqn Ldr Long, a Just Giving page has been set up to support his family and their wish to set up a Flying Scholarship for disabled individuals.

Should you wish to donate to this worthy cause, you can do so here: https://bit.ly/Spitfire-Long

20/07/2024

Day one of ended with a poignant wreath laying in memory of Sqn Ldr Mark Long, with the wreath being handed over to BBMF personnel to display for the remainder of the event as we try to fundraise for a scholarship in his memory.

Should you wish to donate to this worthy cause, you can do so here: https://bit.ly/Spitfire-Long

12/07/2024

All personnel from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight would like to thank our followers and supporters for your patience, understanding and messages following the tragic incident of the 25th May, 2024. We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received, and whilst unable to reply to every letter, email, and message, we have read all of your words and tributes and would like to thank you all for your unwavering support during what has been an incredibly difficult time.

As of Wednesday 26th June, our Visitor Centre re-opened to resume our public tours of the BBMF hangar, and following successful weekends on the ground at the Cleethorpes Armed Forces Weekend, Wales Airshow and the British Grand Prix, we can now confirm that our PR Team will be out on the ground at airshows and events to meet you.

The investigation into the tragic accident is ongoing, and we won’t be commenting on that, but we look forward to seeing many of you either on a tour or out at an event this season.

01/06/2024

A message from Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, regarding the tragic loss of Squadron Leader Mark Long on Saturday 25th May.

20/05/2024

An update on our Public Display Authority and upcoming display season ✈️

11/05/2024

Introducing the world’s newest Hurricane pilot! Congratulations to who completed his first Hurricane sortie today. Another huge milestone complete ✈️👨🏻‍✈️

11/05/2024

We have the Dakota back with us at
today, for our bomber crews to regain their currency before flying on our Lancaster! ✈️

09/04/2024

Squadron Leader Simon Jessett has begun his journey of flying our iconic aircraft here at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and will become a familiar face to many throughout future display seasons. Here he is talking about the flying hours he has achieved so far in the Chipmunk, and what will be coming up next in his journey.

04/04/2024

Are you ready for the summer? ☀️🕶️

We certainly are, and we are delighted to announce our 2024 Display Season and where you’ll be able to see our display throughout the summer! As usual, this list is for full displays only, and does not include individual flypasts ✈️

https://bit.ly/2024Displays

We have also been receiving a number of queries from our followers in the Netherlands and Belgium as to whether we will be conducting a series of flypasts on the 4th May this year. This prestigious event always falls early in the BBMF season and we have been delighted to mark their Liberation Day celebrations for the last 2 years. Unfortunately this year, due to scheduled, but extensive, maintenance on the Lancaster this winter (including installation of a new tailplane), the Lancaster will still be in the final stages of completing her winter maintenance in early May. We appreciate that this will be disappointing for those of you in the Netherlands and Belgium, but the maintenance and safety of our aircraft must take priority and we look forward to visiting later in the year as we attend Sanicole Airshow! 🇧🇪🇳🇱

30/03/2024

Today marks the 80th anniversary of the historic Nuremberg Raid, a pivotal moment in WWII history. On March 30, 1944, Bomber Command embarked on a daring mission deep into enemy territory, but sadly suffered its heaviest losses of the entire war on a single raid against the symbolic N**i rally city of Nuremberg.

Let us honour the memory of all those who served and sacrificed on that fateful night.

28/03/2024

We will be taking a break over this Easter weekend, and ahead of our busy display season! Please note that the BBMF Visitor Center will be closed over the bank holiday weekend.

Wishing all our followers a happy Easter. See you soon! 🐣🐰✨

27/03/2024

Last week we attended the Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants City & Awards Lunch, at the beautiful Butchers’ Hall in London! Each year, OC BBMF attends with BBMF award winners, and was this year accompanied by our Admin Officer Diane Law-Crookes who was the recipient of the 2023 BBMF Excellence Award, and Engineer Cpl James Smith, who was a previous recipient of the Peter Thompson Trophy which is awarded for the most outstanding contribution to the BBMF. The 2023 award was won by Cpl Tom Jarvis, who sadly wasn’t able to attend the event however Cpl Smith collected it on this behalf!

Thank you for having us Company of Builders’ Merchants!

21/03/2024

The Central Flying School provide assurance that flying instruction is conducted to the highest standard and within the regulations. CFS also conduct routine assessment of individual Aircrew Instructors to either confirm their current instructional category or upgrade their category. CFS provide mentoring to instructional units and collate best practice methods to progressively improve military aircrew instruction throughout defence.

Wing Commander John Le Cornu recently had the pleasure of confirming OC BBMF, Squadron Leader Mark Sugden as A2 (above average) Chipmunk QFI status!

19/03/2024

Spitfire TE311 has recently returned from her Major Maintenance at Biggin Hill!

TE311 is now painted to represent Spitfire Mk XVIe TD322 ‘3W-M’, of 322 (Dutch) Sqn. 322 (Dutch) Sqn is the oldest of the operational Dutch sqns within the RAF during the Second World War, and she now carries nose art representing the squadron’s mascot, a red-tailed parrot named Polly Grey.

📸 Darren Harbar

11/03/2024

On 6 March 2024 a BBMF Chipmunk sortie was flown with Sqn Ldr Mark ‘Disco’ Discombe and Capt Matt Walker. The sortie was a vital element of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Flight Instructor (Aeroplanes) (FI(A)) rating revalidation.

During the sortie Disco, BBMF Standards and Evaluation, was the instructor ‘teaching’ Matt, although Matt was actually flying in his role as a CAA Flight Instructor Examiner (Aeroplanes). Matt’s primary role is teaching Elementary Flying Training at RAF Cranwell, as part of the contracted Military Flying Training System run by Ascent Flight Training.

The sortie was only achievable due to the whole force approach Ascent have towards RAF flying training, ensuring the revalidation sortie was flown at no cost and within the normal working day. Disco requires the FI(A) rating to provide vital Harvard training to new BBMF fighter pilots as they transition from the Chipmunk to the Hurricane.

05/03/2024

Celebrating two special occasions today!

Firstly we’d like to send our warmest wishes to veteran Colin Bell DFC, who is celebrating his 103rd birthday today 🎂🎁

It is also 88 years since the iconic Supermarine Spitfire took its maiden flight at Eastleigh Aerodrome in 1936 ✈️

29/02/2024

Congratulations to one of our bomber pilots, Flt Lt Jamie "JJ" Jackson, on being the first pilot to reach 3000 flying hours behind the controls of the A400m! 🎉👏

26/02/2024

We were honoured to attend a ceremony to unveil a plaque for Sqn Ldr Arthur Clowes in Sawley, Derbyshire on Sunday.

Hurricane LF363 previously wore livery dedicated to Sqn Ldr Clowes, with its distinctive Wasp nose art.

20/12/2023

Here’s an update from one of our engineers, AS1(T) Luke Barratt with a focus on our Chipmunk aircraft, as well as some fundraising on the flight! 👨🏻‍🔧⚙️🛠️✈️

18/12/2023

The second charity that we were delighted to support as part of our annual members day this year is the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.

Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance is a charity who attend the most serious of accidents and have the ability to carry out life saving treatment at the scene, before transferring patients to hospital. This is an incredible service available across the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, and we cannot thank the team at LNAA for all that they do!

15/12/2023

Christmas is coming! 🎄

Over the Christmas period, The BBMF Visitor Centre will be closed from Thursday 21st December 2023, and re-open on Monday 8th January 2024.

The BBMF Official Club offices will also be closed from Thursday 21st December 2023, reopening on Tuesday 2nd January 2024.

05/12/2023

We are extremely proud to be the 2023 recipients of The Award of Honour from The Honourable Company of Air Pilots for “an outstanding and enduring contribution to aviation”. 👏🏆

Find out more about our award and the ceremony here:
https://bit.ly/BBMFAwardofHonour

27/11/2023

On the 30th September, we held our annual Members Day which this year helped to raise money for two fantastic charities.

One of the charities is Hope House & Ty Gobaith Children’s Hospices, a charity very close to our hearts and chosen due to the unwavering support they gave to one of our own during the most difficult of times. Hope House ensure that children with life-threatening conditions enjoy the best quality of life, together with their families. They provide specialist care and bereavement support, when and where they need it, and work to ensure that no one faces the death of a child alone.

Tom Jarvis and Jeff Gulliver visited Hope House on the 8th November to present them with a cheque for the money raised during our Members Day which came to a total of £5000, however as we donated the money during the Final Moments Matter Campaign, our donation was doubled meaning that Hope House received a grand total of £10,000!

Thank you for everything that you do, .

22/11/2023

Are you a member of our Official Club?

As a member of the official club, you are directly supporting the welfare and upkeep of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight!

Within your membership pack, you will receive the latest club magazine and visitor centre guide, aircraft data sheets for the Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster and Dakota, and a pack of members-only gifts including a pin badge, car sticker, poster, wall planner and pen.

Throughout the year, as a member you will also receive our Autumn Journal magazine (October), Yearbook magazine (April) and monthly newsletters with exclusive behind the scenes stories for Club members. There is also automatic free entry into a monthly prize draw.

Last but not least, your membership entitles you to free hangar tours here at RAF Coningsby!

Find out more about the club, and the membership benefits here: https://www.memorialflightclub.com

Address

Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight, Royal Air Force
Coningsby
LN44SY

Website

http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf

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Videos

At the weekend our Lancaster appeared at the RAF Battle of Britain Reception skimming over the Golden Sunset at Portrush as a fantastic opener for the NI International Air Show 🌅✈️ #lancaster #flypast #NorthernIreland #Portrush #battleofbritain

Our sunset display at @AyrShowFOF went down a treat, but what did it look like from the best seat in the house? 🌅✈️ 🎥 Cpl Connor Jenkin #Ayr #Scotland #sunset #scottishsunset #lancasterdisplay

A Lancaster display against a beautiful sunset - is there a more graceful sight or sound? 🌅🌊✈️ It’s been a fantastic evening at @ayrshowfof, and we will be back for more tomorrow! #Ayr #Scotland #festivalofflight #eveningdisplay #sunset #lancaster #BBMF

Opening the show for the third and final day of @bmthairfest! We hope you’ve enjoyed our displays during the Air Festival, and there is still time to chat to the team based on the East Overcliff ✈️ #bournemouth #bournemouthairfestival #airshow #lancaster

An unforgettable view of our Lancaster display at @bmthairfest today, where we were lucky enough to watch from the sea! 🌊✈️ #bournemouth #airfestival #airshow #displayseason #lancaster #aviation #historicaircraft #bbmf

Is there a better way to open @bmthairfest than a Lancaster display? 😍✈️ #lancaster #PA474 #lancasterbomber #bournemouth #southcoast #airshow #events #displayseason2024

It’s been a great couple of days at @ClactonAirshow, despite the weather conditions and we were delighted to close the show today with our Lancaster Display! ✈️ #clactonairshow #clacton #clactononsea

Thank you for another fantastic airshow weekend @airbourne_eastbourne! ✈️☀️🌊 That’s our displays complete for this years show, but come and find our PR team on the Western Lawns until 6pm today! #Airbourne #EastbourneAirshow #Aviation #AirDisplay #AviationLovers #SeasideShow #Airshow #Lancaster

Arriving into @airbourne_eastbourne! What a beautiful day for a Lancaster display ☀️✈️ #eastbourne #airborne #lancaster #southcoast #airshow

The Lancaster is back at @RAFConingsby after our first weekend back! Thank you for all of your support, it’s been a pleasure seeing all of your photographs and messages. It’s great to be back displaying for you ✈️👨🏻‍✈️ 🎥 Cpl Tom Jarvis #Lancaster #PA474 #display #coningsby #lincolnshire #aviation #heritage #merlin #rollsroyce

Opening Blackpool Airshow today with our Lancaster! Lets see what it looks like from the Rear Turret 👀🗼✈️ 🎥 Cpl Tom Jarvis #lancaster #rearturret #blackpool #airshow @visitBlackpool

The first Lancaster display of the year! Did you see us at Blackpool Airshow? ✈️🎥 #Lancaster #PA474 #displayseason2024 #Blackpool #blackpoolairshow

Starting the engines ahead of a successful PDA 🔉✈️ #merlin #engine #rollsroyce #Lancaster

We are pleased to confirm that after a successful Post Maintenance Air Test yesterday, Lancaster PA474 is airworthy after her extensive winter maintenance. We are looking forward to returning to the skies with the Lancaster as soon as possible! #Lancaster #PA474 #Aviation #AircraftMaintenance #HistoricalAircraft #AviationNews

A message from Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, regarding the tragic loss of Squadron Leader Mark Long on Saturday 25th May.

We’re making plenty of progress with the Lancaster maintenance, with hydraulic checks and functional bleeds having been completed this week! 👨🏻‍🔧⚙️🛠️ #maintenance #engineering #engineers #hydraulics #functionaltesting #aviation

PDA achieved, and display season here we come! Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far this year and we can’t wait to start displaying for you ✈️☀️🎥 #PDA #publicdisplayauthority #airshows #airdisplay #displayseason2024 #spitfire #hurricane #aviationlife #avgeeks #noordinaryjob

Opening the flying display at @shuttleworthtrust is Hurricane LF363! #bestofbritishairshow #displayseason2024 #Hurricane #LF363 #airshow #events

A beautiful afternoon for our first Hurricane sortie of the season ☀️✈️ #hurricane #fighter #LF363 #flying #maintenance #aviation #pilot #avgeeks #noordinaryjob

We’ve had the @rollsroyceheritageflight Harvard with us on the Flight this week in order for @simonjessettpilot to continue his training, progressing from the Chipmunk and before flying the Hurricane! Here’s a sneak peak at his first flight in the Harvard ✈️ #Harvard #KF183 #rollsroyce #pilottraining #aviation #progression #Chipmunk #Hurricane #AvGeek #militarylife #aircrew #noordinaryjob #workingtogether