Dark clouds over the BBMF?

Serious British media like the BBC are openly questioning the future of the single engine fighters of the famous Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). Since 25 May, no Spitfires nor Hurricanes owned by the BBMF have flown. On that day one of their pilots, Sqr. Ldr. Mark Long, met a tragic death when Spitfire MK356 he was flying crashed near the flights home base RAF Coningsby.

Immediately after the accident all single Merlin engine powered aircraft were grounded. Since then investigators from the Defence Accident Investigation Branch (DAIB) have been busy trying to reveal the cause of the crash. But even more than three months later, nothing has been disclosed of the possible cause of the crash.

At the same time, while the RAF seems to be extremely cautious to find out what went wrong, Spitfires and Hurricanes in private ownership are still permitted to fly. The British Civil Aviation Authority has not seen sufficient evidence to justify a fleetwide grounding.

The BBMF however is not a completely lame duck, as their Lancaster PA474 and Douglas C-47 Dakota ZA947 and two Chipmunks are still flying. The Lanc has resumed flying again in July, and although Merlin engine, like the Spitfire and Hurricane, its four engines provide more in flight safety.

Hopefully the BBMF will soon find and disclose the cause of the crash of MK356 so the future of the RAF’s history can be secured!

Source: BBC

Photo: Lancaster PA474 in formation with Hurricane LF363 and Spitfire P7250 during Flying Legends 2010 by Gert Jan Mentink