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Header image: BBMF Spitfire Mk IIa P7350 outside the BBMF hangar at Coningsby on 1st June, wearing its new temporary ‘QJ-G’ code letters on its port side. The aircraft was about to be flown to RAF Valley in company with Spitfire Mk Vb AB910 for the Station’s Families Day. (photo: Clive Rowley)

As reported in the RAF Memorial Flight Official Club 2017 Yearbook, published in April, BBMF Spitfire Mk IIa P7350 and Hurricane LF363 have been painted with new code letters to celebrate four of the Battle of Britain fighter pilots, some of ‘The Few’, who are still alive today. Applied in a special temporary paint, covering the existing markings, the new code letters can easily be removed when required. The two BBMF aircraft will now appear with different code letters on each side of their fuselages for the 2017 display season.

Header image: George ‘Johnny’ Johnson (left,) ‘Dambusters’ bomb aimer, and George Dunn (right), Halifax and Mosquito pilot, in the BBMF ‘Lancaster Lounge’ on 1st June. (photo: Clive Rowley)

Four Bomber Command veterans visited RAF Coningsby and the BBMF on Thursday 1st June 2017. The purpose of their visit was to speak to an audience of personnel from RAF Coningsby about some of their experiences flying in heavy bombers during World War Two.

Header image: The new BBMF 60th anniversary patch being ‘modelled’ by Flt Lt Antony ‘Parky’ Parkinson.

If you see any of the BBMF pilots, aircrew and ground crew at work in their black flying suits this year, you will notice that they are wearing a new 60th anniversary badge on the left upper arm. Designed jointly by the BBMF and Squadron Prints, the new patch proudly commemorates the Flight’s 60th year.