BBMF Members’ Day 2026
Header Image: Members watching the Red Arrows displaying over the BBMF Dakota on 26th September 2026. (Photo: BBMF)
Traditionally held at the end of the flying display season, Members’ Day sees the BBMF welcoming a large crowd of some 2,500 Club and Association members with their personal guests. BBMF Members’ Day is an exclusive tickets-only event, open only to the members and not to the general public.
Once again, the free park-and-ride system with double-decker buses ferrying people quickly and efficiently to and from the car park was very successful and the bus tour through the base at RAF Coningsby allows members to see parts of the base not normally open to the public.
In the BBMF hangar there were a variety of stalls providing retail opportunities and there were also several outlets selling a variety of hot food. The Club had its own stall selling Club merchandise and it is always wonderful for the team to meet so many members, and to renew some memberships and to recruit new members.
The flying display commenced at 1130 with the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, back in business and getting the show off to a brilliant start.
The Irish Air Corps Silver Swallows gave an excellent four-ship, precision display in their Pilatus PC-9M turboprop trainers, while wartime trainers were represented by the Rolls-Royce Heritage Flight’s North American Harvard IIB KF183.
Right: Rolls-Royce Heritage Flight Harvard IIB KF183. (Photo: Phil Cooke)
The Griffon-powered Seafire Mk XVII SX336 operated by Navy Wings, and Rolls-Royce Spitfire PR Mk XIX PS853 from the Rolls-Royce Heritage Flight then filled the clear Lincolnshire sky with that unmistakable Griffon growl.
Right: Rolls-Royce Heritage Flight Spitfire PR Mk XIX PS853. (Photo: Steve Hinks)
The BBMF flew twice, showcasing their 2026 signature Dakota three-ship display, with Spitfire TE311 and Hurricane PZ865, while on the second of their displays there was a four-ship formation with the Dakota leading Spitfires TE311 and AB910, and Hurricane PZ865 in the ‘box’. Flying the Hurricane was Squadron Leader Mark ‘Suggs’ Sugden on his final flight with the BBMF and with the RAF, after nine years with the BBMF and having led the Flight through difficult times. We wish him all the best for the future.
The RAF Typhoon FGR4 closed the programme with a crowd-captivating and ear-shattering display from “Dragon 01”.
Members’ Day 2026 was a great success, much enjoyed by those who attended, many for the first time, with plenty of positive comments posted on social media. For example, Della Whisker said: “It was my first visit! I had a brilliant day thank you. It was wonderful to see the ‘Reds’ and who knew you could do that with a Typhoon! Well done to everyone.” While David Struthers posted: “This was my first Members’ Day and certainly won’t be the last. Worth the 1,160-mile round trip to spend the day with you. Roll on next year.” Andrew Slingsby said: “Another absolutely awesome day. So well organised and a wonderful day of flying. Proud to be a member of the awesome Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Official Club.”
If you are not a member of the Club but would like the opportunity to apply for the limited tickets to attend future events as a member, you can join the Club here. This year tickets cost £10 each – surely the best value event anyone can attend. (Please note that as tickets are limited each year, they are offered as a bonus opportunity for members rather than as a guaranteed benefit of membership.)
