Doubts over Battle of Britain planes’ inclusion at air display
There is uncertainty about whether the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be at Guernsey Air Display in two weeks’ time, after a fatal crash in the UK at the weekend.
Squadron Leader Mark Long was killed when the Spitfire he was flying crashed in a field in Lincolnshire on Saturday, near RAF Coningsby, where the BBMF is based.
The RAF has temporarily grounded the BBMF’s other aircraft, which includes Spitfires, Hurricanes and a Lancaster bomber, while an investigation into the incident takes place.
The local air display – which was moved to June to fit in with Red Arrows' availability – is now less than three weeks away.
Guernsey Air Display Foundation event organiser Natalie Davidson said the foundation had not yet been contacted by the RAF with regards to the BBMF’s availability for the display because of the ongoing nature of the investigation, but hoped to hear something official by the end of this week.
‘As well as coming to Guernsey the flight was meant to be in Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day on 6 June, so I expect a decision will be made before then,’ she said.
A Spitfire and a Hurricane had been expected to take part in this year’s display.
The Spitfire is a single-seat fighter aircraft which was critical in defeating Luftwaffe air attacks during the Battle of Britain in 1940.
More than 20,000 were built.
Today there are around 240 are known to still exist, of which about 60 are said to be airworthy.
There are six Spitfires on the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
The Royal Air Force has confirmed that an investigation into the UK incident had begun.
Guernsey Air Display is taking place on 13 June, with Team Raven, Navy Wings Harvard, The Titans and Rich Goodwin’s Jet Pitts among the aircraft taking part.
Mrs Davidson said that local preparation for this year’s event had gone well, with all paperwork completed, and the foundation was now just praying for good weather.
‘It doesn’t look too bad for next week so hopefully that continues, we held the display in June a few years ago and it was lovely.’
The display is being held in June to ensure the Red Arrows – which are not part of the BBMF – can perform, due to them having overseas commitments in the more traditional September slot.
Details about the display can be found at www.guernseyairdisplay.com.
