VISIT TO THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL FLIGHT
RAF CONINGSBY SUNDAY 4th AUGUST 2002
(CHANGED FROM SATURDAY 13TH JULY 2002)
I thought that this visit would be rather special, but in the event it was
out of this world. Only 8 members accepted the invitation of fellow member Craig
Saville to visit RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. Craig is an aircraft engine
mechanic in the RAF. He is a member of the team that services and maintains the
Merlin engines that power the Spitfire, Hurricane and the Lancaster of the
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
When Craig bought his MR2 earlier this year he contacted Ken Salmon to see if
he thought that we would be interested in seeing behind the scenes at the home
of these wonderful aeroplanes that quite literally saved all our lives. With
kind permission of the station commander we visited the base on Sunday 4th
August.
We arranged to meet at the Lea Gate Inn, a lovely old 16th century pub just
outside the village. By 11.45 everyone had arrived so we adjourned to the
pub garden for lunch before driving the short distance in convoy to the visitors
centre to meet our guide at 1pm. We were greeted by a very smart looking Craig
in his black RAF coveralls, who then led the party across the road to the
hangar. Not knowing quite what to expect as he unlocked a small side door and
stood back to let us all in.
The initial scene can only be described as breathtaking. A huge place, bigger
than a football pitch, totally silent until the echo of the door being closed
behind us and then the murmurings of our party. I slowly counted one Hurricane
and one, two, three, four, five Spitfires! With the Flight away at airshows
until later that afternoon, more to come.
The pictures tell the story. Many thanks to The Officer Commanding the BBMF,
Squadron Leader Paul Day OBE AFC RAF, and to club member and Technician Craig
'Jimmy' Saville for what must be the best club event of all time.
To get a little of what our group experienced visit the excellent BBMF
website at :http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/bbmfhome.html
Download the screensavers and lots of fantastic photographs.
To see when the aircraft can be seen in your area, see http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/calendar.html
To see the men who fly these aircraft, see http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/aircrew.html
And to see the 18 men and women who keep them flying, see
http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/groundcrew.html
Visit the BBMF at RAF Coningsby from Monday to Friday
The Lea Gate Inn
Visitors centre car park
The cavernous hanger
One or two photographs were taken
Craig shows ex-RAF Ted Collins how to get into a Spitfire.
Stuart, Fred Sanderson and Ken wait their turn
Thomas
Mark experiences the feeling with the canopy closed
What a shame that so many members missed the opportunity to sit
here
Meticulous restoration
Rebuilt Rolls Royce Merlin engines....
...everywhere
Thomas has a closer look
No words needed
The Spitfires wheels are very close together
As the aircraft was developed, more powerful versions could us a
5 bladed prop, wood of course
4 of 6, and the same the other side
Jeanne snaps Mike in the cockpit
I could not believe that....
....this was really happening
Lost in thought and about to cry, a very personal moment
Sunday afternoon tea outside the pilots mess
The Lancaster arrives home, it flew low over our heads with the
roar of 4 Merlins
Taxiing towards the hangar
The last flying Lancaster - The City of Lincoln enters through
the giant doors 7,500 were built
The big black Lancaster looks over it's fighter escorts
Gunner Sanderson beats Gunner Kynoch to the nose turret
Stuart takes the controls
Pat wonders it this beats motorbikes
The Hurricane returns
With the Spitfire hot on it's heels
Craig is on duty and still has to refuel
The Dakota arrives back
Richard, Fred, Doris, Stuart, Pat, Mark, Craig, Jeanne, Mike,
Ted, Joan, Ken, Gordon. Thomas took the picture
Technician Craig 'Jimmy' Saville
Craig joined the RAF in 1990. His first posting was at Abingdon on Nimrod
Aircraft Early Warning before being posted to Leuchars (43 Sqn) on the RB199
engine bay and Laarbruch on the Pegasus engine bay. Following successfully
completing a fitters course at Cosford, he was posted to Lossiemouth on the
RB199 engine bay. This is his first season with BBMF
THE MEN - "LEST WE FORGET"
Sydney Camm - Hurricane R J
Mitchell - Spitfire Roy Chadwick -
Lancaster
