Like Father
Today, 16th October 2008, I was priviledged to visit the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF)at RAF Coningsby to tour the aircraft in the hangar. The display season has now closed for the year so the historic aircraft are undergoing annual servicing.
I did what my father (and so many others) did.... I sat in the rear gunners turret of the flight's Lancaster. (a lifetime ambition).
It is all very well looking at pictures, but to actually sit in one of these aeroplanes and imagine what a whole generation of young men in the 1940s went through is impossible to fully understand.
It may have been a quiet autumn day in Lincolnshire 2008, but I was struggling just trying to get in and out of the turret! I cannot begin to imagine how it was done for real.....under fire! There was absolutely no room to move.
I have total admiration for these brave men!
I was also fortunate to be able to (respectfully) crawl all over the aircraft. Such a priviledge!
The BBMf is based at RAF Conningsby, Lincolnshire.
The only British flying Lancaster, as well as Spitfires, Hurricanes and a Dakota are based there.
With grateful thanks to Ken Bannister, RAF rtd. Guide at the BBMF, ex-RAF Flight Engineer and old friend!
Like Son!
At the drivers seat!
