Official Club calendar 2024 – January photo

During 2024 we are presenting the image from the Club calendar for that month in the newsletter, with some details about the picture including when and where the photo was taken.

This month we feature the superb photo for January, which was entered into the calendar competition by Club member Ian Strong.

The picture features a special BBMF seven-ship formation, known as “Trenchard Plus”, which was flown at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford in July 2018, marking the centenary of the Royal Air Force. The BBMF C-47 Dakota ZA947 is leading the formation, with Spitfire PR Mk XIX PS915 in its silver 81 Squadron colours, and Spitfire Mk IX MK356 in its 92 Squadron desert camouflage scheme on its wingtips. Lancaster PA474 is in line-astern formation behind the Dakota, with the BBMF’s two Hurricanes, LF363 and PZ865, in echelon left and right, and clipped-wing Spitfire Mk XVI TE311 behind. For their displays at the 2018 RIAT the BBMF was awarded the top trophy, the King Hussein Memorial Sword.

Ian tells us that the photo was taken at a focal length of 85mm and a shutter speed of 1/250th of a second and that he “played with it a bit in Photoshop mainly to cut down the haze on what was a lovely warm and sunny day”. He also said: “It was a joy to see the BBMF empty the toy box and fill the sky with the glorious sight and sounds of a memorable flypast”.

The RAF Memorial Flight Official Club 2024 calendar costs just £12 including postage and can be purchased by telephoning the Club office on 01905 570727, or you can pick one up for the price of £10 (because no postage is required) in the Visitor Centre at RAF Coningsby.

To read more about the calendar please click here.