Latest news with #BattleofBritainMemorialFlight
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Spitfire replica to grace Scarborough seafront for Armed Forces Day
A life-size Spitfire replica will occupy Scarborough's seafront during Armed Forces Day celebrations later this month. Lee Threadgold, artistic director of local arts organisation Animated Objects, which is constructing the replica Mk1 Spitfire, said: "The Spitfire is by far one of the most ambitious projects we've ever undertaken. "It's such a landmark piece of engineering and aviation history that people recognise every curve and facet of the aircraft at first sight, and it's our job to ensure we recreate that faithfully." Scarborough will host a range of tributes, displays, and entertainments for Armed Forces Day, which will take place on Saturday, June 28. The event will run from 11am to 5pm and will include flypasts from the Royal Air Force (which will be sending the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight); a 1930s Tiger Moth; Rich Goodwin, in his jet-powered muscle biplane; the Starlings Aerobatics Team; and squadron leader Nathan Shawyer in an RAF Typhoon. For more information, visit
Leader Live
03-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Family of Lancaster bomber crew member watch it land at Hawarden
Jack Oliver, from Hawarden, was a rear gunner in the iconic Avro Lancaster bomber in World War Two - taking part in 42 missions. Jack Oliver (Image: Family handout) In RAF bombers, nearly 50 per cent of crew members were killed during the Second World War - but, remarkably, Jack remained unharmed. This gave rise to his nickname of 'Lucky Jack' and people were desperate to fly with him on board. After the war, King George VI presented Jack with a medal and letter of thanks for his efforts during the war - after which he remained in the RAF. He died in 1999 - aged 81. Last Friday, his family were at Hawarden Airport to see the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Lancaster bomber return there - 80 years to the month it rolled off the production line at what is now the Airbus wings factory. The Lancaster bomber and two Spitfires pictured during the flypast on Friday. (Image: Russell Challinor) Jack's daughter, Vanessa Roberts, her niece, Michelle Sherratt and Michelle's 12-year-old son, Quinn, were all in attendance. "As the Lancaster came into view, all of a sudden all I could think about was my dad stuck in that little bubble at the back being a rear gunner and all the dangers he went through. "I was incredibly emotional and wept into my niece's arms and I so wish he could've been here to see this. "I felt very privileged to see these great planes with my own eyes and it is on my bucket list to be able to go into that little bubble one day to see where my dad spent those terrible days and nights." Quinn, Michelle and Vanessa pictured on Friday. (Image: Handout) MORE NEWS: Michelle recalls Jack telling her about one mission where his toe was stuck in the rigging of the plane as a German plane approached. He was able to yank his toe free, breaking it in the process, so he could fire the machine gun. Vanessa added: "My dad had PTSD from seeing so many of his friends' planes being shot down. I remember my mum used to have to wake him up as he was shouting in his sleep. "He was my hero."
Wales Online
01-06-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Moment WWII bomber returns to its Broughton factory 'home' for 80th WWII commemorations
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A famous WWII aircraft has returned home to her "birthplace", now Airbus' wing building factory in Broughton 80 years on. The Avro Lancaster bomber conducted a number of flypasts over the Broughton site yesterday evening. It was flown alongside the equally iconic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane fighters. It landed at the airfield to a warm welcome from Airbus employees, government officials and community leaders - near an Airbus BelugaXL. This particular Lancaster, PA474, was built in May 1945 during the Broughton site's early years as a shadow factory for manufacturing Wellington and Lancaster bombers. During this period, the site's legacy of aerospace manufacturing excellence was written by a workforce of Broughton community members ready to meet the challenge of the day. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now (Image: Airbus) More than half of them were women joining the workforce for the first time. Decades later, the site continues to set the standard for world-class manufacturing, building wings for the Airbus A320, A330 and A350 commercial aircraft families. In a nod to this proud past and present, the BBMF Lancaster was met by an Airbus BelugaXL, the aircraft used to transport completed wings from Broughton to Airbus' Final Assembly Lines in Europe. (Image: British Aerospace print held in BAE Systems Heritage Archive (ref F1563) / Barry Guess) The Lancaster is owned and operated by the RAF's BBMF. It was the star of the recent VE Day celebrations, leading the ceremonial flypast over London. The Officer Commanding the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, RAF, said: 'Our flying season so far this year has been memorable with the VE Day celebrations, but this is one of the highlights of the year in a visit that takes our incredible aircraft back to her birthplace. "Thank you to the whole team at Airbus Broughton for the warm welcome.' Gareth Davies, Airbus' Head of Broughton site, said, 'We are honoured to host the BBMF Lancaster and mark her 80th anniversary as a reminder of the importance of British aerospace history in understanding who we are and where we want to go. (Image: BAE Systems) "Our Broughton site has a lot to be proud of, producing the wings that half the world flies on. We're a site that epitomises innovation, advanced manufacturing and a proud workforce who are at the top of their game. "It's fantastic to be celebrating our heritage with this aircraft.' The BBMF Lancaster which flew on Friday evening and is called PA474, rolled off the production line at Vickers Armstrong's Broughton (Chester) factory on 31 May 1945. It was one of a contract for 500 aircraft of which only 235 were delivered when production was cancelled in September 1945. PA474 was built modified for Far East use in preparation for proposed bombing of Japan. But with the end of the war she went directly into storage. Her later career included photographic reconnaissance, a trials aircraft and appearances in a number of feature films including "Operation Crossbow" and "The Guns of Navarone." She joined the BBMF in 1973.
The Independent
31-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Second World War bomber returns home for 80th anniversary
A Second World War bomber has returned to its birthplace 80 years after it was built. The Avro Lancaster performed flypasts over Broughton, North Wales, alongside Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane fighters before landing at the Airbus wing building factory on Friday evening. The aircraft was built in May 1945 during the Broughton site's early years as a shadow factory for manufacturing bombers. The Lancaster PA474, which is owned and operated by the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, was the star of the recent VE Day celebrations, leading the ceremonial flypast over London. The Officer Commanding the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, said: 'Our flying season so far this year has been memorable with the VE Day celebrations, but this is one of the highlights of the year in a visit that takes our incredible aircraft back to her birthplace.'
Leader Live
31-05-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Second World War bomber returns home for 80th anniversary
The Avro Lancaster performed flypasts over Broughton, North Wales, alongside Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane fighters before landing at the Airbus wing building factory on Friday evening. The aircraft was built in May 1945 during the Broughton site's early years as a shadow factory for manufacturing bombers. The Lancaster PA474, which is owned and operated by the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, was the star of the recent VE Day celebrations, leading the ceremonial flypast over London. The Officer Commanding the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, said: 'Our flying season so far this year has been memorable with the VE Day celebrations, but this is one of the highlights of the year in a visit that takes our incredible aircraft back to her birthplace.'
