BBMF Spitfire cockpit experience prize

Club member Barry Holland in the cockpit of BBMF Spitfire Mk XVI TE311. (Photo: Clive Rowley).

Barry Holland, from Norfolk, was the lucky Club member who won the April ballot prize of a Spitfire cockpit experience at the BBMF’s home at RAF Coningsby. Barry took up the prize on Wednesday 2nd September, bringing his wife Karen with him to the BBMF hangar.

Club editor, Squadron Leader Clive Rowley MBE RAF (Retd), a former BBMF Spitfire pilot and OC BBMF, hosted the ‘money cannot buy it’ experience, with Spitfire Mk XVI TE311, a low-back, clipped-wing and, most importantly, airworthy Spitfire, which Barry was allowed to climb into. Although Barry has visited the BBMF before, this was something different, being allowed inside the barriers into the centre of the hangar and getting a full explanation of the Spitfire, its remarkable history and its external features from Clive, with a walk around the aircraft.

Barry then climbed into the tight confines of the Spitfire cockpit, where he spent the next 20 minutes, with Clive explaining the controls and instruments. Barry was then left in the cockpit to soak up the experience. 

Afterwards the visitors were able to have some time in the centre of the hangar, where the public are not normally permitted, allowing them to see things that cannot be seen from behind the barrier on a public tour and getting a guided tour from Clive.

Paul said: “What a visit we had! Karen and I enjoyed it so much. I am a lifelong aviation enthusiast and I learnt a lot!”