The Royal Air Force ( RAF ) Battle of Britain Memorial Flight ( BBMF ) commemorates all those who have lost their lives serving in the RAF , or its predecessor the Royal Flying Corps , in all conflicts from 1914 up to the present day . The BBMF fleet of World War Two aircraft is preserved in flying condition as a living tribute to them , to promote the modern day Air Force and to inspire future generations . The Flight ’ s motto ‘ Lest We Forget ’ says it all .
RAF BBMF History & Background
Inaugurated as the “ RAF Historic Aircraft Flight ” on 11th July 1957 at RAF Biggin Hill in Kent , the Flight initially consisted of three PR Mk XIX Spitfires and the RAF ’ s last airworthy Hurricane , LF363 .
The Flight was soon renamed the “ Battle of Britain Flight ” and then in 1969 , to reflect its wider commemorative role , it became the “ Battle of Britain Memorial Flight ” ( BBMF ).
Between 1959 and 1965 the Flight had only one Spitfire ( PM631 ) and one Hurricane ( LF363 ) on its strength . Now , as a “ museum without walls ”, it maintains eleven historic and irreplaceable aircraft in airworthy condition : an Avro Lancaster , a C-47 Dakota , five Spitfires , two Hurricanes and two de Havilland Chipmunk training aircraft .
The BBMF is a regular RAF unit , manned by Service personnel and funded by the Ministry of Defence . Those who serve with the Flight feel extremely privileged to work with and to fly the BBMF aircraft , which are all precious artefacts of the RAF ’ s and the Nation ’ s aviation heritage .
RAF BBMF Operations
The BBMF ’ s home is at RAF Coningsby .
During the winter season – from October to March each year – the majority of the Flight ’ s aircraft ( except for the Chipmunks ) are kept on the ground for extensive winter maintenance to prepare them for the next display season and to ensure their long-term preservation .
The display season normally runs from the beginning of May to the first week of October each year , with pre-season work-up flying for the crews taking place in April , culminating in Public Display Approval being sought for each pilot from the Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group . During the display season all the aircraft fly regularly and its aircraft and crews deploy away routinely on display duties .
Meanwhile , routine servicing and rectification work also takes place in the Flight ’ s hangar .
The BBMF is typically tasked to fly approximately 100 displays and over 700 flypasts at events of all shapes and sizes during each display season , generating around 1,000 individual aircraft appearances each year and reaching over 14 million people . The display programme takes careful and extensive planning , each sortie often involving several events , to maximise the opportunities within the limited aircraft flying hours available ( the hours limits are imposed to ensure the aircraft ’ s long-term preservation ).
Applications for appearances can be made via the application form on https :// www . raf . mod . uk / display-teams / battle-of-britain-memorial-flight /