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RAF BBMF Spitfire and Hurricane WWII fighters uncertain future
An unprecedented challenge is being faced by the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) as its legendary Spitfire and Hurricane fighter planes remain grounded four months after a tragic accident. As first noted by Alert 5, questions about the future of these iconic World War II aircraft in RAF service has been raised by the extended suspension of flights.
In fact, after a Spitfire crashed in May 2024 killing its pilot Sqn Ldr Mark Long, the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s fighter planes remain grounded as investigators from the Defence Accident Investigation Branch (DAIB) continue to probe the cause of the crash.
Immediately after the tragedy, the RAF announced a “temporary pause” in flights by the remaining aircraft in the BBMF fleet. Since the then the service has been unable to provide a timeline for the resumption of flights or guarantee that these historic aircraft will take to the skies again.
Nevertheless, as reported by BBC, Spitfires and Hurricanes in private ownership are still permitted to fly because according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) there is insufficient evidence to justify a fleetwide grounding.
Retired RAF group captain and former BBMF engineering officer Terry Holloway is surprised by the duration of the investigation.
“It’s quite understandable that the Ministry of Defence, in these risk-averse times, would wish to pause flying until the cause of the crash is identified, but more than three months on they are still grounded,” he said.
Holloway pointed out that in his experience establishing the cause of a crash would be “relatively easy.” In fact, he explained that following a 1991 incident a defective camshaft in a Hurricane was quickly identified and addressed.
Spitfires and Hurricanes in private ownership not grounded
Noteworthy in July BBMF announced its Avro Lancaster had been cleared to fly again, although officials said this followed an “extensive pre-planned depth maintenance activity”. This disparity has led some, including Holloway, to speculate that the issue may be related to the single-engine configuration of the Spitfire and Hurricane, as opposed to the four-engine Lancaster.
In the meantime, these beloved warbirds have missed several high-profile events such as the D-Day 80 commemorations, the King’s Birthday celebrations, and potentially the upcoming Battle of Britain anniversary on Sep. 15 because of the prolonged grounding.
Sir Gerald Howarth, president of both the British Air Display Association and the Historic Aircraft Association (HAA), said he was “curious” why there has been “absolutely no move” from the CAA to ground Spitfires and Hurricanes in private ownership (numbering around 40).
An RAF spokesperson said to BBC that safety is paramount for the service and added that “The BBMF Spitfire and Hurricane will return to flying only when it is appropriate and safe to do so.”
The potential permanent grounding of the RAF’s Spitfires and Hurricanes would close a living link to one of the most pivotal moments in British and world history marking the end of an era.
Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
The Royal Air Force BBMF operates from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.
According to the Royal Air Force website, the mission of the RAF BBMF is to maintain the priceless artefacts of our national heritage in airworthy condition in order to commemorate those who have fallen in the service of this country. The RAF BBMF also serves to promote the modern day Air Force and to inspire the future generations.
The Flight operates six Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Lancaster, a C-47 Dakota, and two Chipmunk aircraft (primarily for training). The aircraft are flown by regular RAF Aircrew.
These aircraft can be regularly seen in the skies over the UK from May to September each year. They are flown to celebrate and commemorate public and military events from State occasions such as Trooping the Colour to major airshows and flypasts for public events.
RAF BBMF story
The BBMF was inaugurated on Jul. 11, 1957 at RAF Biggin Hill. It was initially called the RAF Historic Aircraft Flight and consisted of three PR Mk XIX Spitfires and the RAF’s last airworthy Hurricane, LF363. It was then renamed to be the Battle of Britain Flight before a final renaming in 1969 to what it is known as today, BBMF.
Between 1959 and 1965 the flight had one Spitfire (PM631) and one Hurricane (LF363) on its strength. Now, as a ‘museum without walls’, it maintains twelve historic and irreplaceable aircraft: an Avro Lancaster, a C-47 Dakota, six 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.
Photo credit: Ministry of Defence and Sgt Jack Pritchard, RA / Crown Copyright
