2024 Club Autumn Journal

If you missed the 2024 Autumn Journal we have a few copies left available to buy.

The 2024 Autumn Journal begins with a heartfelt introduction by OC BBMF in which he reviews the events of 2024 and looks to the future. This issue also includes some wonderful ‘people’ stories, starting with the sad case of a young RAF armourer based at Woodhall Spa who lost his life in an explosion in 1942. A feature on BBMF Spitfire Mk Vb AB910 explores its time with 402 Squadron RCAF in 1944 and the men who flew her.

There is also the remarkable story of Bob van der Stok, a free Dutch pilot who was a successful ‘home run’ Great Escaper and who later commanded 322 (Dutch) Squadron when Spitfire Mk XVI TD322 (the current ‘identity’ of BBMF Spitfire TE311) served with the unit. Then there is the fascinating story of Air Vice Marshal Stanley Vincent – a fighter pilot in the First and Second World Wars – whose determined intervention saved BBMF Hurricane LF363 for the nation.

We could not ignore the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem in September 2024, even though the BBMF Dakota was not able to take part, and we offer the astonishing story of how Dakota pilot Flight Lieutenant David Lord won the Victoria Cross. There are also features on the BBMF aircraft to enjoy, with a wonderful photo tour inside the BBMF Lancaster, and the details of the ‘Major’ maintenance carried out on the Dakota in ‘Keeping ’em flying’.