BBMF Experience Day prize – 29th August 2026
Club member Steven Betony (centre) won this year’s Club ballot prize of a day behind the scenes at the BBMF. He brought friend Hilary Davis (left) and grandson Alfie Wherry to share the experience with him. This is outside the BBMF HQ with the gate guardian replica Spitfire. (All photos: Clive Rowley).
On 29th August Club member Steven Betony was able to take up his Club ballot prize of an Experience Day behind the scenes at the BBMF, bringing with him friend Hilary Davis and grandson Alfie Wherry, aged 11. The day had originally been planned for 27th June, Armed Forces Day, but as the crosswinds were forecast to be out of limits at Coningsby that day, the available BBMF aircraft had to deploy away the day before to ensure that the planned displays could be completed and no flying action was taking place at Coningsby. The Experience Day was, therefore, rescheduled for 29th August. Sadly, bad weather saw the cancellation of flying that day too, at short notice. Nonetheless, Steve and his guests had an exclusive, ‘money cannot buy it’ experience, seeing behind the scenes inside BBMF, with a special tour of the BBMF aircraft in the hangar.
Steve and his guests were booked onto the base at RAF Coningsby via the main guardroom and issued with temporary ‘Escorted’ base passes. They were hosted by retired RAF and BBMF fighter pilot and former OC BBMF, Squadron Leader Clive Rowley MBE. Arriving at the BBMF Headquarters the visitors were met by BBMF Warrant Officer, Sid Siddiqi, who welcomed and chatted with them, explaining his role and the situation with the cancellation of flying.
A guided tour of the BBMF HQ followed, providing a rare glimpse of how the BBMF actually works behind the scenes. Clive then led the visitors on a special guided tour of the BBMF aircraft in the hangar, telling the stories associated with these icons of aviation. Dakota ZA947 was part way through an engine change, but the visitors were allowed to climb on board and take the steep uphill climb to the cockpit, something that not many get to do.
Despite the lack of flying activity, Steve and his guests thoroughly enjoyed their special day behind the scenes with the BBMF at RAF Coningsby, they gained an insight into the way that the BBMF operates and all, especially 11-year-old Alfie, learned something new on the tour of the aircraft in the hangar. Steve said: “Being able to get so close to the aircraft was amazing, and actually being able to go inside the Dakota was also amazing, not something I thought I would ever have an opportunity to do. It was quite poignant to see Spitfire TE311 marked in tribute to Squadron Leader Mark Long, but also lovely to get up close to the Chipmunk, which I flew in two or three times as an air cadet. This has been a truly memorable experience, thank you to all the team at the BBMF.”
We hope that we will be able to offer another ‘money cannot buy it’ BBMF Experience Day to another lucky Club member next year.
