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Header Image: BBMF Spitfire Mk XVI TE311 in its 322 (Dutch) Squadron markings and code letters ‘3W-M’. (Photo: Claire Hartley)

Regular followers of the BBMF will know that the Flight’s Mk XVI Spitfire, TE311, is currently painted on its port side in the markings of a wartime aircraft of 322 (Dutch) Squadron – TD322 – which had the code letters ‘3W-M’. TD322, a low-back, clipped-wing Spitfire, arrived to join 322 Squadron in April 1945 as a replacement aircraft. It adopted the code letters of a previous high-back Mk XVI Spitfire, RK840, which had been marked as ‘3W-M’ and which met a tragic end 80 years ago this month, on Sunday 28th January 1945.

For this month’s Club members’ ballot prize, we’re giving away a very special print of the BBMF Lancaster, signed by 12 Bomber Command aircrew veterans.

We will randomly select one Club member to win the prize.

About the prize
This print, produced by Squadron Prints in 2017, is unusual in that it shows both sides of BBMF Lancaster B1 PA474 in its current livery. Text at the bottom explains the markings on the Lancaster and this is flanked by the badges of the two wartime squadrons represented.

During 2024 we have been 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. For December we chose this picture because of the intense and focussed look in the eyes of the pilot, actually Squadron Leader Mark ‘Suggs’ Sugden, OC BBMF, sitting in the cockpit of BBMF Spitfire IIa P7350 ready to go flying. We titled it “The eyes have it”!