The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Avro Lancaster has flown to Duxford to start a deliberate interval of upkeep that may see it miss the 2026 show season.
Avro Lancaster PA474 was in-built 1945 and delivered too late to see use within the Second World Struggle, however has established itself since 1973 as the guts of the Royal Air Pressure’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). The plane, often known as ‘The Metropolis of Lincoln’, is a daily centrepiece for nationwide flypasts over London and performs at airshows throughout the UK throughout every year’s summer season show season – often flanked by the BBMF’s Spitfires and Hurricanes.
To make sure the long run sustainability of working this valuable plane – one among solely two airworthy Lancasters globally – a significant upkeep overhaul is required roughly each eight years. Led by specialists on the Plane Restoration Firm, primarily based at Duxford Aerodrome, PA474 will likely be fully stripped down and rebuilt throughout a course of that’s anticipated to final a minimum of 18 months.
Whereas the Lancaster is unavailable, the BBMF’s Douglas C-47 Dakota will step up and canopy PA474’s common tasks. The Dakota itself has lately returned to flight following an extended than anticipated overhaul interval that noticed it spend three years at Duxford. In addition to being an necessary a part of the RAF’s historical past in itself, the BBMF’s operation of a Dakota moreover allows aircrew coaching for a multi-engine tailwheel plane sort – in any other case not operated by the RAF – with out utilizing up the extraordinarily precious flying hours of their Lancaster.
The BBMF’s Dakota, serial ZA947, was initially delivered to the U.S. Military Air Pressure in 1942 earlier than a swift switch to the Royal Canadian Air Pressure (RCAF) below a lend-lease settlement. ZA947 was transferred to the RCAF’s European forces in 1965 and served there till 1969, at which level it was declared as surplus and fell into using the Royal Plane Institution (RAE) in Britain. Assigned the British serial quantity KG661, this was later realised to have been in error – that serial quantity having beforehand assigned to a subsequently destroyed plane. The plane was given the extra up to date ZA947 serial in 1979 and joined the BBMF in 1993.
As a part of ZA947’s overhaul, the plane was repainted into a brand new color scheme consultant of an RAF Dakota serving with 31 Squadron within the Pacific theatre of the Second World Struggle. As such, the plane now carries the RAF’s Far East Command model roundel, that includes two shades of blue and no central crimson dot – developed to keep away from misidentification as Japanese plane.
Our Dakota spent the night at @RAFNortholt, however now she’s on her return journey dwelling 👀✈️ #Dakota #ZA947 pic.twitter.com/X6iLlwW07Q
— RAF BBMF (@RAFBBMF) September 19, 2025
Squadron Chief Paul Smart, Officer Commanding of the BBMF and one of many pilots for each the Lancaster and Dakota, mentioned the Dakota was the flight’s “unsung hero”. Of the Lancaster’s upkeep programme, he says “We do need to preserve them flying indefinitely.” He added “So as to take action, they should be taken offline every so often to undergo an in-depth upkeep process for a significant servicing. It tends to be each eight years or so and will probably be stripped down, so there’s nothing new however fingers crossed at a speedy return.”
A number of million individuals throughout the UK prove to see the BBMF’s plane at numerous occasions every year. It’s funded centrally by the Ministry of Defence, but additionally receives assist from public donations through supporters’ teams. Most personnel on the flight give their time along with common Royal Air Pressure duties, with solely a small core of full time crew offering the spine of the group.
Historic RAF Formation Flight
On Oct. 23, making the most of the temporary interval the place each the Lancaster and Dakota have been out there, the Royal Air Pressure carried out a particular formation flight with each plane flying aspect by aspect, led by a Spitfire and an lively obligation Airbus A400M Atlas C1. All plane, other than the Spitfire, have been flown by aircrew who actively serve with or have served with the RAF’s 30 Squadron, one among two frontline Atlas items.
Commemorating a legacy, celebrating obligation. ✈️
The enduring BBMF Spitfire, Lancaster and Dakota soared in a historic formation with the RAF A400M, uniting previous and current. pic.twitter.com/zTvc9q1x29
— Royal Air Pressure (@RoyalAirForce) October 28, 2025
Squadron Chief Smart, who was on the controls of the Dakota for the formation, mentioned: “This occasion offered a outstanding alternative to bridge the RAF’s illustrious previous with its dynamic present-day front-line roles. Most of the tasks and values upheld by the RAF right now have their roots within the pioneering efforts of the brave Second World Struggle era. Their dedication and sacrifice laid the muse for the trendy pressure we see right now. By commemorating their legacy, we additionally have fun the RAF’s ongoing dedication to safeguarding our Nation, honouring the previous whereas trying ahead to the challenges and tasks of the long run.”
