50 years of the BBMF at RAF Coningsby
Header image: An informal gathering marked 50 years of the BBMF at RAF Coningsby and officially unveiled the newly refurbished BBMF Visitor Centre. (Photo: Clive Rowley)
The BBMF and RAF Coningsby have celebrated a milestone, 50 years since the BBMF arrived at the Lincolnshire base on 1st March 1976. The occasion was marked with an informal gathering on 27th February to unveil the newly refurbished BBMF Visitor Centre, a joint facility operated in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council.
The occasion was attended by the Leader of Lincolnshire County Council (LCC), Cllr Sean Matthews, the Executive Councillor for Culture, Cllr Natalie Oliver, the RAF Coningsby Station Commander, Group Captain Andy Hampshire, OC BBMF, Squadron Leader Paul ‘Ernie’ Wise, and many of the volunteer guides at the BBMF Visitor Centre.
The unique partnership between the RAF and LCC allows the BBMF historic aircraft to be shared with the public. Visitors can view these amazing living artefacts of our national history up close and can discover the associated stories of courage and sacrifice on hangar tours hosted by the Visitor Centre guides. The refurbished Visitor Centre will offer visitors an enhanced experience, showcasing the history and heritage of the BBMF and the iconic aircraft it maintains and flies in honour of those who served.
The BBMF Visitor Centre originally opened in April 1986, almost 40 years ago, and since then has hosted around three quarters of a million visitors on tours of the Flight’s hangar. In 1999 the original, rather makeshift building was replaced with the current purpose-built facility, which was opened in March that year by TV personality and former Second World War Spitfire pilot, Raymond Baxter. Many of the artefacts and displays that until recently were housed in the exhibition area were from that time, some of the wall displays were updated in 2007, but it was due for an update.
The new exhibition area is much more open and spacious with new displays, and it will provide a much-improved area for visitors waiting for their escorted tour of the BBMF hangar and the aircraft. There is a small TV room with an introductory video in which OC BBMF welcomes visitors and explains the role of the Flight and of the Visitor Centre. There are also plans to add a virtual reality (VR) station in the future, allowing visitors to don VR goggles and experience flying in the BBMF Lancaster with 360-degree vision from the cockpit.
Cllr Natalie Oliver, Executive Councillor for Culture at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “It is an absolute privilege to host the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in Lincolnshire, honouring the brave men and women who defended our skies and fought for our freedom. Through this investment in our Visitor Centre, we are protecting and promoting our county’s proud aviation heritage, ensuring the sacrifices of our veterans are never forgotten. As we celebrate this monumental milestone, I’d like to say a special thank you to our Royal Air Force colleagues, and to our incredible volunteer tour guides, who keep our veterans’ stories alive with tremendous passion and dedication.”
OC BBMF, Squadron Leader Wise said: "To be marking 50 years at RAF Coningsby is a genuinely special moment, and I could not be more proud of everything the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight represents. We exist to keep alive the memory of those who sacrificed so much and, in turn, to inspire the next generation. It is a privilege and a responsibility we carry with great pride. None of what we do would be possible without the support we receive from RAF Coningsby, and I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Lincolnshire County Council, whose partnership has made the Visitor Centre the remarkable facility it is.
Group Captain Hampshire said: "RAF Coningsby is proud to have been home to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for 50 remarkable years. This base has provided the foundation that has enabled BBMF to fulfil its vital commemorative mission for half a century. The refurbishment of the Visitor Centre is a wonderful milestone, and I want to pay particular tribute to Lincolnshire County Council for their generous and sustained support. This partnership reflects everything that is best about the relationship between the RAF and the communities in which we are privileged to serve."
Do come and visit the BBMF via the Visitor Centre, see the new exhibition area and take a guided tour of the BBMF hangar. Access to the BBMF Visitor Centre exhibition area, shop and café is free of charge. Hangar tours are free to Club members on production of a valid membership card (charges apply to non-members) and are available on a walk-in basis with no booking required.
