News & competitions

Header image: Dame Vera Lynn’s funeral cortege pauses at the crossroads in the centre of her home village of Ditchling, on 10th July, for a BBMF flypast. The BBMF Spitfires are highlighted in the red circle. (Photo: Crown Copyright)

Personnel from all three of the Armed Forces of the UK paid tribute to ‘Forces Sweetheart’, Dame Vera Lynn, at her funeral on 10th July. Dame Vera died in June aged 103. Sailors from HMS Collingwood, guardsmen of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards and airmen of the Queen’s Colour Squadron of the RAF Regiment formed the bearer party.

Header image: BBMF Visitor Centre exhibition area with one-way system and ‘keep your distance’ markings (Photo: Clive Rowley)

The Royal Air Force and Lincolnshire County Council operate in partnership to allow visitors access to the BBMF hangar at RAF Coningsby on guided tours to see the Flight’s aircraft at close quarters. During the COVID-19 lockdown, the BBMF Visitor Centre was forced to close temporarily, in line with the Government measures to control the spread of coronavirus.

Header image: Hawker Hurricane Mk 1s of 85Sqn on patrol in 1940.

In the United Kingdom the Battle of Britain is officially recognised as having started 80 years ago on 10th July 1940.