The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

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Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

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Behind the hangar doors – The naked Lancaster!

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Lancaster PA 474 was delivered to Air Atlantique at its Coventry base on 2 October 2006. After a flypast, a perfect landing and a few final photographs from the assembled media the aircraft was towed into the hangar, the doors firmly closed locking away one of the most famous aircraft in the world for six months to complete its scheduled maintenance.

The RAF has practised a preventive maintenance philosophy on their aircraft for many years, this sees a series of scheduled inspections and other maintenance activities being carried out on aircraft to detect faults before they occur. After several months of competition involving several engineering companies, the contract to carry out the in-depth scheduled maintenance on the RAF’s Lancaster PA 474, one of only two remaining in airworthy condition of the 7377 that were built (the other being in Canada), was awarded to Air Atlantique by the Nimrod Integrated Project Team based at RAF Wyton.

Since the arrival of the Lancaster the aircraft paint finish has been stripped back to bare metal to allow a detailed examination of the aircraft skin. Virtually every system and component fitted to the aircraft has been removed for inspection by specialist engineers. For example the propellers have been inspected before removing the famous Merlin Mk 25 engines which were returned to RAF Coningsby, home of BBMF, for annual maintenance. The fuel cells have been removed from the wings and the undercarriage units have been removed for overhaul.

All of the aircrafts flying controls including fabric covering on the ailerons have been removed to allow detailed internal examination. The Lancaster’s characteristic tail fins and rudders have been removed to allow inspection of the tail plane spars and fin mountings.

Control rods for the flying controls at the rear of the aircraft are being replaced. This required separation of the fuselage rear portion at the transport joint slightly aft of the mid upper turret.

Throughout the detailed inspection process PA474 has proved to be structurally sound and is in remarkable condition. The Air Atlantique team of engineers have diligently inspected each area and have discovered no significant faults or unexpected complications, not bad for an aircraft built in 1945.

Rectifications are under way and reassembly of the aircraft has commenced. The schedule content of the major maintenance is well under way and there is every expectation that the aircraft will return to service in the Spring.

The Lancaster will be rolled out as the ‘Phantom of the Ruhr’ initially of 100 Sqn and latterly of 550 Squadron. She will be in 100 Sqn colours of HW-R showing 30 missions on the left hand side with BQ-B of 550 Sqn on the right. It was originally decided that she would be in 100 Sqn colours but the Officer Commanding BBMF, Sqn Ldr Al Pinner, received such a volume of mail from 550 Sqn members, with whom she flew a further 91 missions it was decided to commemorate both Squadrons – Lest We Forget. The Lancaster will be revealed in her new markings at the launch of the BBMF 50th Anniversary Season in Spring 2007.

23 January 2006

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19 January 2006

50th Anniversary celebrations at IWM Duxford.

The 5th May 2007 sees the official launch of the BBMF 50th Anniversary Season, ’50 Golden Years of the BBMF’. The IWM Duxford is opening up the airfield exclusively to the BBMF. The first opportunity for the public to see Lancaster PA474 representing the ‘Phantom of the Ruhr’ of 100 and 550 Sqns, Spitfire P7350 wearing Gerald ‘Stapme’ Stapleton’s markings of XT-L and AB910 as ‘Zumbach’s Donald, EN951 of 303 ‘Kosciuszko’ Squadron. See the four original fighters of the BBMF reunited once again and also see all seven BBMF fighters in formation with the Lancaster. There will be opportunities to meet the crews and get official commemorative books signed. Advance tickets for this event will go on sale shortly and to keep an eye on our website for further information.

19 January 2006

RAF Museum to host BBMF.

On the 6th March 2007, the RAF Museum Hendon is playing host to some of the BBMF air and ground crews for school children to get the opportunity to talk to the crews to find out what it is like to fly and maintain these venerable aircraft in airworthy condition. Schools who would like to be involved should talk to David Keen at the RAF Museum on 0208 205 2266.

19 January 2006

2006 Charity News.

The following charities have benefited from the generosity of the supporters of BBMF during 2006:

RAF Benevolent Fund – £4696
Flying Scholarships for the Disabled- £718
RAF Association -£103.75
Poppy Appeal -£40-79
Blond McIndoe -£450
The British Disabled Flying Association – £302

Although raising funds for charities is not part of the BBMF’s official task, each year we like to raise money through public appearances, speaking engagements, writing articles for magazines and generally carrying charity tins at air shows. As well as the amounts shown below, a vast sum of money was raised at the BBC auction for Children in Need, offering a day out at the BBMF en-route to the Royal International Air Tattoo. We on BBMF would like to thank everyone for the kind donations made to the charities we support and we wish you all a very "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."

20 December 2006