Lincolnshire's Lancaster Association
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Photo by Ross Cannon
The Lincolnshire Lancaster Association (LLA) was formed from the Lincolnshire Lancaster Committee who were a group of like minded people, who joined forces when the Lancaster was moved from RAF Waddington to RAF Coltishall in 1973. They collected over 17,000 signatures to get the Lancaster moved back to Lincolnshire. Eventually it was announced that the Memorial Flight was moving back to Lincolnshire at RAF Coningsby.
The LLA has taken an active part in fundraising to help with projects within the BBMF, including the mid-upper turret on the Lancaster.
The LLA's most recent project is fundraising to help with the rebuild of the BBMF's Supermarine Spitfire TE311, which is well underway.
The LLA owns two Avro Aircraft, Avro Vulcan XM594 and Avro Shackleton WR977, these Aircraft are on display at Newark Air Museum and along with the Avro Lancaster were designed by Roy Chadwick. The Association has over 6,000 members Worldwide and it's long-term aim is to help keep the Lancaster flying and keep it's home in Lincolnshire, as a tribute to the thousands of bomber command Aircrew who lost their lives during World War II.
Why not join the Lincolnshire Lancaster Association and help to keep the Lancaster and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight alive.
Lincolnshire's Lancaster Association Website
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Website
Lincs-Lancs Association 2011
Entrance to the event was, as usual, through the BBMF hangar where Spitfire LF.XVIe TE311 took centre stage. This immaculately restored aircraft is promised to be the most authentic airworthy Spitfire in the world and looked to be ready for flight apart from a couple of wing fillet panels that were still in primer. The major parts of Spitfire F.21 LA255 were also on display, stripped to bare metal and ready for preservation work. It is intended that this will become the BBMF's gate guardian until a unit with a greater claim requires it. In the corner of the hangar was black Chipmunk T.10 WG486/G highly "bulled" to a super-shiny finish.
Outside were the rest of the available BBMF fleet, the most obvious being the flagship, Lancaster B.1 PA474, appearing in public for the first time with authentic WWII design exhaust shrouds fitted. Their manufacture had been paid for by the Lincolnshire Lancaster Association. Next to her was Dakota ZA947 "Kwicherbischen". A colloquial translation of the Plattdeutsch name preferred by this writer is "Hobson's Choice". In a line down the side of the hangar, looking superb in the sunshine, were Hurricane IIc LF363 and the Flight's five airworthy Spitfires. Notable by their absence were Hurricane PZ865 and Chipmunk WK518/K which are both away for major servicing over winter. Further out on the airfield could be seen Giles Aviation's Aztec G-KEYS which was to be very busy as the day's camera ship. Also present was AA-5 Traveler G-BCPN which had brought in actor Ewan McGregor for a BBC TV shoot.
The day's activities were started by piper Blair Nicol from 1145 (Dunfermline) Sqn. ATC who took post at the nose of "City of Lincoln" to play a lament for the lost airmen of WWII. Shortly afterwards the Dakota started up and took off to give a very sprightly 20-minute performance which included two very low flypasts. She then departed the circuit for flypast duty at a memorial service at Sibsey Northlands. This was the cue for the Lancaster to start and take-off followed shortly by the Hurricane and three Merlin-engined Spitfires. The two blue PR Spitfires stayed firmly on the ground due to lack of pilots, this being due to operational duties and end of season leave. The skies over Coningsby then went quiet for a while as the aircraft toured the Lincolnshire countryside taking their stations for the traditional last day of flying flypast. They eventually reappeared with the Hurricane leading a vic of Spitfires and the Lancaster bringing up the rear. The circus maintained this formation for a couple of passes overhead before breaking for their individual performances. The "City of Lincoln" alias "Phantom of the Ruhr" gave an extended version of its usual polished performance punctuated by passes from the Hurricane. This latter then joined forces with Spitfire IIa P7350 for a tail chase and opposition aerobatics before following the Lancaster into circuit for landing. While these stars taxied in, Spitfires AB910 and MK356 gave a beautiful display of close formation aerobatics followed by low-level opposition "beat-ups". They got enthusiastic, well-deserved applause as they taxied in. The Dakota returned from its duties to give a couple of low passes with the air quartermaster waving goodbye from the open paratroop door to complete the LLA Day display.
Review by Colin Smedley/Oscarpix Imaging
Images courtesy of Colin Smedley/Oscarpix Imaging
The BBMF's new boss - Thursday 5th November 2009
Squadron Leader Ian Smith and Squadron Leader Al Pinner
Photo Lincolnshire Echo
Squadron Leader Ian Smith took over the command of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on Thursday 5th November 2009. "Smithy" as he is known joined the RAF in 1983. He has flown Chinook helicopters, Jaguars and been a member of the Red Arrows. Also spending time in Saudi Arabia as team manager to the Saudi Hawks Aerobatic team, returning back to the UK in time for the retirement of the last Jaguar Squadron at RAF Coningsby. His last posting was to RAF Cranwell where he commanded 16 (R) flying training Squadron, flying the Grob Tutor.
Smithy has flown with the BBMF for the last Four years as a volunteer fighter pilot, and was picked as the replacement for Squadron Leader Al Pinner some time back. 2010 is going to be a busy year for the BBMF celebrating the 70th anniversary of the greatest Air battle known to man, The Battle of Britain.
Lincs-Lancs Association 2009 - Sunday 27th September 2009
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight hosts one of the last Aviation events of the year, which this year 2009 was attended by over 2000 members of the LLA (Lincs-Lancs Association). The majority of the BBMF (Battle of Britain Memorial Flight) Aircraft were positioned out on the apron giving wonderful Photo opportunities.
The Lancaster, Dakota, two Hurricanes and three Spitfires all flew later in the day. Flypast's carried out by the Aircraft included tail chasing with two Spitfires and Hurricane, a formation of all the Aircraft together and the Lancaster, followed by a Mk 19 Spitfire flown by Squadron Leader Al Pinner who carried out a stunning display as the Lancaster landed.
Later on everyone was treated to an appearance by the only airworthy Vulcan, which carried out several flypasts to finish the show. The LLA day is a fantastic opportunity to meet the Aircraft at close quarters and mix with the Air and Grounds crews and other staff as well as meet WWII veterans who flew and operated some of these fine Aircraft types.
A fantastic day out with the opportunity to see and hear a collection of vintage Aircraft, lovingly flown and maintained by a dedicated team of people.
Images courtesy of Chris and Ross Cannon