Club prizes and winners – July to September 2023

All members of the RAF Memorial Flight Official Club are automatically entered into our monthly prize ballots to win some special prizes. These were the ballot prizes for the months of July to September 2023 and the lucky Club members who won them.

July ballot prize – A copy of Peter Farrington’s photo book ‘Paint the Sky’

In July one lucky Club member won a copy of Peter Farrington’s book ‘Paint the Sky’. Peter is not only a talented photographer, he is also part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Public Relations team which attends air shows on the ground to help promote the Flight. This book of stunning photography is described by Peter as, "A photographic and informative journey of how so many fantastic aircraft and display teams from around the world paint our sky with those famous words “Smoke on … Go!”.

Winner:           Alan Friend from Cambridgeshire              

August ballot prize – A signed BBMF leather jacket

In August one lucky Club member won a genuine Battle of Britain Memorial Flight leather jacket, signed by BBMF crew. These top-quality leather jackets are made by Aviation Leathercraft and retail new at £492. This jacket is a real piece of BBMF history and has been worn by various members of the Flight, flown in BBMF aircraft, and is signed inside by BBMF aircrew and ground crew past and present.

Winner:           Paul Scofield from Lancashire

September ballot prize – A special copy of Chris Sandham-Bailey’s book ‘RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in Profile’

The Club's ballot prize for September was a special copy of Chris Sandham-Bailey’s new book ‘RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in Profile’, signed by the author and BBMF aircrew. To make it really special, this copy of the book was flown in BBMF Lancaster PA474 in August 2023. For this 300-page book, that normally retails at £39.99, talented illustrator and author Chris Sandham-Bailey has meticulously researched and reproduced every known paint scheme worn by each of the BBMF aircraft throughout their existence, as well as gathering together an unrivalled collection of photographs to show how the appearance of the aircraft has changed. Never before have all of the BBMF aircraft liveries been catalogued and illustrated in one publication. This copy of the book has a certificate of authenticity, signed by the Lancaster captain, certifying that the book was flown in Lancaster PA474. The introduction to the book is written by the current OC BBMF, Squadron Leader Mark ‘Suggs’ Sugden, who is also one of the signatories. This book is a must for anyone with an interest in the BBMF aircraft and their histories.

Winner:           Harry Betts from Lincolnshire