"The six Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Lancaster, a Dakota and two Chipmunks delight thousands of spectators each year at flying displays across Britain. And now a glorious set of previously-unseen photographs documenting the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight over the years has been released. The first memorial flight was flown in September 1945 over The Mall in central London, and the event soon became an annual commemoration. The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight team was formed just over a decade later in 1957 by Wing Commander Peter Thompson. It serves as a permanent reminder of the 544 RAF aircrew killed during the Battle of Britain of the Second World War in the summer and autumn of 1940. Photographer Keith Wilson has been granted official access to the flight for a new Haynes Publishing book to give a pictorial insight into all its activities. The pictures include those from the aircraft and their crews to ground crews and support staff, and from display planning to major winter overhauls. Nearly 3,000 RAF pilots, including hero Douglas Bader who lost both legs but carried on flying, were involved in the Battle more than 70 years ago." DM
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 01:43:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015