The Duke of Cambridge, the Patron of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, attended a Reception and Air Display to mark the 60th Anniversary at Royal Air Force Coningsby, Lincoln, Lincolnshire on Tuesday, 11 July 2017.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) acts as a living tribute to those brave men who served and lost their lives in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and during the Battle of Britain which was fought from July to October 1940.
The @RAFBBMF perform a display on their 60th Anniversary – the Flight is comprised of a Lancaster, a Dakota, 6 Spitfires & 2 Hurricanes. pic.twitter.com/Wo8Jdy1Jw7
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) 11 July 2017
Wing Commander Peter Thompson formed the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on 11 July 1957 to honour the RAF’s victory and to preserve some of the iconic planes that flew during the Battle of Britain.
Three Spitfires were flown from Duxford to Biggin Hill to mark the BBMF’s foundation.
During a reception to commemorate this milestone, Prince William met a number of veterans who flew and worked on these historic aircraft during World War II.
HRH The Duke of Cambridge met with WWII Royal Air Force veterans to celebrate 60th Anniversary of the @RAFBBMF at @RAFCGY pic.twitter.com/CMTOjM33pV
— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) 11 July 2017
Crowds watched a wonderful display by the Flight, which now contains 12 historic aircraft, including a Lancaster, a Dakota, six Spitfires, two Hurricanes and two Chipmunks which were used for training.
The aircraft are regularly used at World War II commemorations and state occasions, including Trooping the Colour, the Queen’s birthday celebrations, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011, and air shows in Britain.
Prince William, who completed his service in the Armed Forces with the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force at RAF Anglesey, is the Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Coningsby.
Visit the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Museum in Lincolnshire or discover more about the Memorial Flight Club.
Or follow the BBMF on Facebook or Twitter.
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