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INTRODUCTION
By Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, Officer Commanding RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
as the officer Commanding the Battle of Britain Memorial flight, i am humbled by the prestigious aircraft that we are fortunate enough to be custodians of. Whilst the aircraft themselves are some of the most recognisable in the history of the royal air force and our aviation heritage, it is the human endeavour they represent that lies at the heart of what BBMf stands for. We are a living memorial to those who have served and sacrificed in the service of our great nation, and we are dedicated to keeping their memory alive.
as the officer Commanding, one of the many “perks” of the job is to choose the livery of our aircraft. every scheme that our aircraft proudly wear is authentic to the type and mark of aircraft and is chosen after extensive research. each depicts a squadron, a pilot, or story that needs to be told and remembered. importantly our aircraft display the markings of countries from across the Commonwealth, who aided in turning the tide against a regime that threatened our very way of life and existence. to fly any of our aircraft and to become part of its history is an incredible honour, and is without doubt the defining moment of my raf career. i am often asked what it is like to fly such iconic aircraft. The experience transcends words. to be in a cockpit that has witnessed such bravery, heroism and courage is almost impossible to describe. having been formed at Biggin hill in 1957, the BBMf is now in its 66th year and is a household name, indeed a national treasure. We appear at occasions of state, air shows and public events every summer and are seen by millions of people across the globe. The small,but passionate BBMf team work tirelessly to preserve our incredible aircraft and keep them in flying condition. in addition to commemorating our past, we strive to celebrate and promote the present, and inspire future generations. i am hugely grateful to Chris Sandham-Bailey for producing such a detailed account and illustration of our aircraft’s history and the stories they have told over the years, and will continue to tell. i hope next time you look skywards and marvel at the unrivalled sight and sound of a BBMf aircraft, you will appreciate even more the significance of the aircraft and of course those it represents.
