The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Avro Lancaster has flown to Duxford to start a deliberate interval of upkeep that can 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 Battle, however has established itself since 1973 as the guts of the Royal Air Power’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). The plane, also called ‘The Metropolis of Lincoln’, is a daily centrepiece for nationwide flypasts over London and performs at airshows throughout the UK throughout annually’s summer time 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 serious upkeep overhaul is required roughly each eight years. Led by specialists on the Plane Restoration Firm, based mostly at Duxford Aerodrome, PA474 might be fully stripped down and rebuilt throughout a course of that’s anticipated to final not less than 18 months.
Whereas the Lancaster is unavailable, the BBMF’s Douglas C-47 Dakota will step up and canopy PA474’s typical tasks. The Dakota itself has not too long ago returned to flight following an extended than anticipated overhaul interval that noticed it spend three years at Duxford. In addition to being an vital 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 beneficial flying hours of their Lancaster.
The BBMF’s Dakota, serial ZA947, was initially delivered to the U.S. Military Air Power in 1942 earlier than a swift switch to the Royal Canadian Air Power (RCAF) underneath 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 Battle. As such, the plane now carries the RAF’s Far East Command fashion roundel, that includes two shades of blue and no central purple 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 Clever, 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 wish to maintain them flying indefinitely.” He added “So as to take action, they need to be taken offline on occasion to undergo an in-depth upkeep process for a serious servicing. It tends to be each eight years or so and it is going to 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 annually. It’s funded centrally by the Ministry of Defence, but additionally receives help from public donations through supporters’ teams. Most personnel on the flight give their time along with common Royal Air Power duties, with solely a small core of full time crew offering the spine of the staff.
Historic RAF Formation Flight
On Oct. 23, making the most of the temporary interval the place each the Lancaster and Dakota had been obtainable, the Royal Air Power carried out a particular formation flight with each plane flying aspect by aspect, led by a Spitfire and an energetic obligation Airbus A400M Atlas C1. All plane, except for the Spitfire, had 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 Power (@RoyalAirForce) October 28, 2025
Squadron Chief Clever, 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 at this time have their roots within the pioneering efforts of the brave Second World Battle technology. Their dedication and sacrifice laid the muse for the fashionable power we see at this time. By commemorating their legacy, we additionally rejoice the RAF’s ongoing dedication to safeguarding our Nation, honouring the previous whereas trying ahead to the challenges and tasks of the longer term.”
