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(Illustration © Chris Sandham-Bailey / Inkworm )

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster PA474, one of only two airworthy examples in the world — the other being operated by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum — will receive a new paint scheme following its major maintenance program scheduled to begin in October 2025 at RAF Coningsby.

When it emerges from the workshops in 2027, it will wear the colors of Lancaster LM220 of IX Squadron as it appeared in 1944–1945.

The BBMF’s Lancaster B I PA474 in its current colors (Photo © Damien Defever for LEB)

The scheme will include nose art featuring the inscription “Getting Younger Every Day,” inspired by an advertisement from the William Younger brewery, along with a bearded character nicknamed “Father William.” LM220 took part in the Tallboy raids against the battleship Tirpitz, and also flew during the Exodus repatriation missions in May 1945.

Source: Vintage Aviation News | New Markings for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster in 2027

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The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Spitfire Mk IX MK356 (Photo Alan Wilson (CC BY-SA 2.0))

The Spitfire Mk IX MK356 of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight crashed on Saturday, May 25, not far from its base at RAF Coningsby. The pilot, whose identity has not yet been revealed, tragically died in the accident.

According to witnesses, the Spitfire appeared to have suffered an engine failure.

The Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX MK356 (Photo © Alan Wilson under CC BY-SA 2.0 license)

Built in early 1944, the Spitfire Mk IX MK356 was returned to flight in 1997. This is the first fatal accident since the commemorative unit was established in 1957.

We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased pilot as well as to the members of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Continue reading]]> The Royal Air Force’s Memorial Flight Club is the official club of the famous Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The BBMF operates six Supermarine Spitfires, two Hawker Hurricanes, the Avro Lancaster PA474, two Douglas Dakotas and two de Havilland Canada DHC.1 Chipmunks, which are presented to the public during air shows and commemorations. The BBMF is somewhat unique as most modern air forces are not much – if at all – involved in the preservation of their former aircraft and the memories of their veterans, or are only in an indirect fashion.

Membership

You can support the RAF Memorial Flight Club and the BBMF by becoming a member. Annual membership costs £25/year (plus P&P). Not only will your membership help support the BBMF, you’ll also get a number of gifts and benefits. The membership pack includes the following:

• Club Yearbook – meet the team and get an exclusive insight into BBMF “behind the scenes”.
• BBMF Visitor Guide – full details of the BBMF aircraft and their colour schemes.
• Four aircraft data sheets (specifications of the Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster and Dakota)
• Wall chart
• Poster
• Car sticker
• Club badge
• Club pen
• Membership card.

• Exclusive merchandise and prints, signed by BBMF pilots
• Tour inside the Lancaster
• Chance to sit in a Spitfire
• Tickets to an exclusive display day at the BBMF

Magazine

Having been given a chance to review the magazine, I must say I was very favourably impressed with it. First of all, the 76-page Autumn 2015 issue comes with a very clean and agreeable layout, which is a welcome change from the very heavy and intensive layout often found in aviation magazines.

More importantly, the quality and subjects of the articles came as a very agreeable surprise. In addition to news related to the Club, the BBMF and its operations, the editors propose several well-written articles on various topics related to the RAF in World War II and today. The articles of the Autumn 2015 issue includes articles on the Castle Bromwich Spitfire factory, battlefield casualty evacuation in WW2 and the present, Hurricane night fighters, etc.

In conclusion, I can only recommend becoming a member of the RAF Memorial Flight Club. Christmas is arriving: for a very reasonable price, you can treat yourself or a friend to a very nice present with the added benefit of supporting the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight!

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(Photo Ronnie Macdonald (CC BY 2.0))

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Avro Lancaster suffered an in-flight fire on its #4 engine during a training flight on May 7. The crew managed to land the aircraft safely at RAF Coningsby.

The extent of the damage suffered by the aircraft is unknown but it will not be able to participate in the commemorations for the 70th anniversary of VE-Day.

Source: BBC

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A restored Spitfire Mk XVI (Photo Patrick Cardinal (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0))

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI TE311 flew again for the first time in 58 years on October 29. It took twelve years for the BBMF team to restore this aircraft to airworthiness.

Although TE311 is not itself a combat veteran, it carries the colours of the aircraft flown by Squadron Leader Tony Reeves, CO of No 74 Squadron from MArch to May 1945.

Source: Aeroplane Monthly

Update: A video showing TE311 is available on the BBC’s website.