Hurricane PZ865 is on her way for the opening ceremony of On Freedoms Wings!
The @bombercountygatewaytrust have a fantastic opening weekend planned, with many events to celebrate the hard work that has gone into bringing the project to fruition and the sculpture being officially open to the public! ✈️
#OnFreedomsWings #Lancaster #Lincolnshire
PDA 2026 🇬🇧📸
One week on, let's look back on the performance that got us our Public Display Authority for the 2026 season.
Keeping our historic aircraft airworthy is a year-round challenge. From the beginning to the end, the team works tirelessly through every obstacle in order to meet the demands of the airshow season. Between seasons the engineering team put the aircraft "on sticks" and does a thorough scheduled servicing package called "Winter Maintenance", ensuring the safety of both the aircraft and those around them.
We do this all in the name of those who came before, in hopes of inspiring those who come next.
Lest we forget.
Camera: Canon AE-1
Film: Kodak P3200
Developer: @notquitenorth_
#BattleOfBritainMemorialFlight #RoyalAirForce #HistoricAircraft #CanonAE1 #KodakP3200
Next up in our fleet spotlight is the incomparable Supermarine Spitfire.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) currently operates five airworthy Spitfires, with the battle-hardened AB910 leading the charge for our fighter fleet currently.
Whether they are performing solo flypasts at local events or headlining major airshows across the UK, these icons of the sky never fail to draw a crowd. This year, keep an eye out for our special ‘Memorial Formation’ the Spitfire and Hurricane flying as a tactical pair alongside the Dakota!
#rafbbmf #bbmf #spitfirr
Where history takes flight. 🕰️✨
From the oldest flying airplane to the final Hurricane ever built, the Shuttleworth season premiere never misses. Seeing Sqn Ldr Sugden handle PZ865 with such grace was the highlight of the day. The BBMF season has truly begun. 😎
#rafbbmf #bbmf
Sadly ZA947 couldn't make it to Shuttleworth today, in her place was the equally iconic PZ865 😎
The Hurricane put on an unforgettable display, at the controls Sqn Ldr Sugden who carved up the skies with the WWII fighter 🛩
A great start to the 2026 display season for the BBMF 🤗
#BBMF #rafbbmf
Witnessing pure poetry in motion as the legendary Dakota flies wing-to-wing with K5054. A breathtaking tribute to 90 years of the Spitfire—the icon that defined an era and captured the sky. ✈️✨
#Spitfire90 #K5054 #AviationHistory #ClassicAircraft #PoetryInMotion
Let's talk about what we are flying this year, starting with our Memorial formation ✈️
Dakota ZA947 leading the charge with a two ship behind her, in this case Spitfire AB910 and Hurricane PZ865 😎
With the Dak out front you'll see the two fighters either along her centreline, line astern, or flying along her left and right echelons 🫡
#bbmf #rafbbmf
Pre-Season Training 2026 🇬🇧
Yesterday, the team here at BBMF successfully achieved our Public Display Authority for 2026, meaning we can participate in this year's air display season.
After many months of scheduled maintenance on our historic aircraft, and several weeks of intensive training for our engineers and aircrew, we have ensured the safety and confidence that enables us to put the smiles on your faces, and the palpitations in your hearts, when you see us fly by 😉.
One of the notable landmarks from this winter period is the training of our newest fighter pilot and Ops Officer, Squadron Leader Ben Polwin. Ben took to the skies on Saturday, like he has many times before, but this time behind the controls of Hurricane PZ865. After hours of training in our Chipmunk aircraft, and the Rolls Royce Harvard, this was Ben's first flight in one of our warbirds.
But that wasn't the only remarkable element of his flight. In May 1950, PZ865 placed second in the prestigious King's Cup Air Race, captained by Group Captain Peter Townsend.
In September 2025, Sqn Ldr Polwin won it.
On behalf of everyone at BBMF, we want to thank every single person who supports us on our mission to bridge the generations through remembrance. We cannot do it alone, and we look forward to seeing you all throughout the year.
Lest We Forget.
Camera: Canon AE-1
Film: Fomapan 100
Developers: @notquitenorth_
#BattleOfBritainMemorialFlight #AnalogPhotography #AirShow #RoyalAirForce #Heritage
All the hard work has paid off as the BBMF'S Dakota, Spitfire and Hurricane were granted their Public Display Authority today 💪
The PDA was signed over by AOC 1 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Jackson, OBE, who not only had the chance to watch the displays, but experience the Dakotas final sortie of the day 😎
A momentous day for all, and we cannot wait for the display season 🥳
#bbmf #rafbbmf
The Dakota on start before flying a practice display over Coningsby as part of the teams PDA workup 💪
#bbmf #battleofbritainmemorialflight #dakota #aviationphotography #militaryaviation
Practice makes perfect, as Dakota, Spitfire and Hurricane crews flew multiple sorties over RAF Coningsby this weekend in preparation for the BBMF's Public Display Authority.
Multiple crews, multiple engineers, multiple aircraft and one common goal 👏
#rafbbmf #bbmf
Without our dedicated engineers and crews here at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, we would simply be unable to keep our veterans of the skies in the air where they belong. ✈️
Whether it is a busy bank holiday or a standard weekday, the tireless work required to maintain these historic aircraft is carried out by our exceptionally committed teams. Their expertise ensures that every mechanical detail is perfect and that these living pieces of history are ready for the public to enjoy. 🫡
It has been an incredibly productive bank holiday weekend for everyone involved. The Dakota, Hurricane, and Spitfire have been launched on multiple sorties throughout the day as we continue our vital preparation for our upcoming Public Display Authority 👏
#bbmf #battleofbritainmemorialflight
