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Aviation History
1985
1985 - 1047.PDF
• '•"-•^ m % fc- ' *;• • 'Ik % .*... I*iiS»f- •I *^?it£i Thanks for the memories AT every air show, when the roar of l\ jets dies down, the throaty growl of "*• .*" a Merlin or Griffon is guaranteed to have the crowds looking skywards. While an increasing number of private enthusiasts proudly show off their vintage aircraft at air displays, the Royal Air Force's own Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Royal Navy's Historic Flight remain ever popular. With the arrival of each new season, the -<yar horses of yesteryear, familiar to old and young, roll out resplendently—their engines newly overhauled, their airframes checked for any signs of wear, their paint work fresh and gleaming. In this nostalgic decade of ours we demand nothing less, but perhaps few realise the dedication and sheer sweat required behind the scenes to make each display possible. On the ground maintenance crews work, often in their own time, with the special dedication and patience that keeps these aircraft flying on a minimal budget. Spare parts are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. Everything from the odd nut or bolt to the occasional whole engine that turns up, however decrepit, is eagerly grabbed and carefully stored. In the air, a handful of men spend their schizophrenic working lives hopping between everyday operations and historic commitments. During the display season, with shows every weekend, there is little or no time left for homes and families. The BoBMF was formed at Biggin Hill in 1957. Today, after a series of moves, it shares a home with McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms and brand-new Panavia Tornado F.2s at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. The Flight consists of an ^FLIGHT International, 6 April 1985 Karen Walker talks to the men whose special skills keep the aircraft of the Royal Air Force's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Royal Navy's Historic Flight a familiar part of air shows. Memorial Flight pictures by Janice Lowe. Avro Lancaster B.l, christened City of Lincoln, two Hawker Hurricane lies, and four Supermarine Spitfires, a Mk Ha, a Mk Vb, and two Mk XIXs. Another Spit fire XIX is being rebuilt by British Aero space at Preston, and should be ready to join the Flight for the 1986 season. Sqn Ldr Scott Anderson is the Flight's commander and its only full-time crew- member. A former Shackleton captain, he flies the Lancaster. All other aircrew must be based at Coningsby, be current, and must be able to offer at least two display seasons. So anyone itching to get his hands on these famous old aircraft really needs to volunteer at the beginning of his tour at Coningsby. On the face of it, flying in the BoBMF is Above A favourite with most enthusiasts, the Swordfish IILS326 was presented to the Royal Navy in 1960. Below The BoBMF now shares its home at RAF Coningsby with Tornado F.2s
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