Over the past weekend, the residents of (and visitors to) Scarborough were privileged to witness a flypast by three of Britain’s historic icons - the Avro Lancaster, Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF).
These three aircraft types were instrumental in the Allied victory in World War 2. The Avro Lancaster - a four engined bomber - was the type famous for the “Dambusters” raid carried out by 617 Squadron in 1943. The Lancaster flying with the BBMF is one of only two airworthy examples of the type in the world - the other one being in Canada. The Supermarine Spitfire hardly needs any introduction - this fine aircraft was instrumental in winning the Battle of Britain, along with its illustrious companion the Hawker Hurricane.
The BBMF celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in 2007 - it was formed as the Historic Aircraft Flight at Biggin Hill in 1957 - initially with one Hawker Hurricane and three Supermarine Spitfires. The Avro Lancaster joined the Flight in 1973, when it changed its name to Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. A Dakota (military variant of the Douglas DC3) occasionally flies along with the three other aircraft.
The aircraft of the BBMF date from a time when Britain was a world leader in aviation technology. Many British aircraft were to become household names - the Mosquito, Vulcan, VC10, Comet, Viscount (to name a few) were known throughout the world and the UK had many famous aircraft factories - Vickers, Handley Page, Avro, Shorts, Bristol, Blackburn, De Havilland, Gloster, Fairey etc. The last jet airliner to be built in Britain was the BAe 146/Avro RJ. The Avro RJ came to an end when the RJX programme was cancelled. Britain no longer develops and builds airliners - just the wings for airliners which will be assembled in France and Germany.
The BBMF is a reminder of a once-great British industry which we will never see the likes of again. It was a rare delight to be able to see three lords of the air lovingly preserved and flown for future generations who would otherwise never know that Britain had a great aviation industry.
For more info on the BBMF visit this site .
