By Kevin Wilkins
With the conclusion of the 2025 display season, the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) engineering team has commenced its annual winter maintenance program. This period is dedicated to both preventative and corrective work to ensure the continued airworthiness and reliability of the Flight’s historic aircraft. Lancaster PA474 has been transferred to the Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) at Duxford for its scheduled Major maintenance program, which will continue throughout the winter and into 2026. The aircraft is expected to return to service for the 2027 display season. As the Lancaster is now fully in ARCo’s care, the BBMF engineering team is free to focus its efforts on the remainder of the fleet, particularly the fighter aircraft.
Hurricane LF363 is undergoing a Primary Star servicing along with additional Penalty maintenance to extend the aircraft’s flying hours and postpone the next scheduled Minor or Minor Star program. This work will ensure its availability and airworthiness for the 2026 display season. A Primary Star is an intermediate-level servicing—less intensive than a Major or Minor overhaul—that typically takes four to five months and includes thorough inspections, component refurbishment, and necessary repairs. Hurricane PZ865, having flown fewer hours during the 2025 season, requires only calendar-based maintenance to be ready for 2026. Both Hurricanes are expected to be available in ample time to support work-up training for two new BBMF fighter pilots.
Spitfires
Spitfire IIa P7350 is receiving a Primary Star and Penalty maintenance similar to that of Hurricane LF363, extending its maintenance interval and preparing it for the 2026 season. Spitfire Mk Vb AB910 is scheduled to return to Coningsby in the coming weeks following an extensive two-year Major maintenance program by the Spitfire Company at Biggin Hill. After a brief period of shakedown flying, its Merlin engine will be inhibited until the start of the 2026 season. Spitfire Mk XVI TE311 requires a Minor maintenance program this winter. Despite its name, the Minor package involves substantial work to ensure long-term reliability. TE311—carrying commemorative “LONG” markings on its starboard side—will be ready for the 2026 display season once the program is completed. Spitfire PR Mk XIX PM631, which completed a full display season in 2025, will undergo a contracted maintenance package away from RAF Coningsby. This includes a deferred repair to Frame 5, a Primary Star servicing, and any additional work that arises during inspection. Spitfire PR Mk XIX PS915 has remained dismantled in the BBMF hangar for more than seven years. This winter, the long-delayed Major maintenance program will begin, including initial reassembly work. While the timeline for its return to flight remains uncertain, the commencement of this effort marks a significant step toward returning PS915 to the air.
Dakota ZA947 returned to the BBMF at the end of August following a three-year Major maintenance program at ARCo. The aircraft flew in September and October, but several calendar-based items will be completed during November and December. Once this light maintenance package is finished, ZA947 will be fully available for training and currency flying from January 2026 onward.
For more information about the RAF Memorial Flight Official Club, visit www.memorialflightclub.com.
