Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is a Royal Air Force aerial display group comprising an Avro Lancaster, a Supermarine Spitfire and a Hawker Hurricane. The aircraft are regularly seen at events commemorating World War II, upon British State occasions, and at air displays throughout the United Kingdom and Europe.

The Flight is administratively part of No. 1 Group RAF, flying out of RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

Aircraft

Although usually seen flying in a formation of three, the Lancaster flanked by a fighter on each wing, the Flight actually comprises 11 aircraft, including five Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Douglas C-47 (DC3) Dakota, and two De Havilland Chipmunks. The Flight also regularly takes part in combined flypasts with other recognisable British aircraft, such as Concorde and The Red Arrows.

History

Originally the RAF "Historic Aircraft Flight", with a small group of Spitfires and Hurricanes, the group became the "Battle of Britain Memorial Flight" in 1973, with the acquisition of a Lancaster. The first Chipmunk was acquired in 1983, and the Dakota in 1995. The Spitfires and Hurricanes in the Flight have varied over the years, as new aircraft are acquired and older ones given to museums or used for parts.

External Link

• The Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight homepage