The RAF BBMF's newest recruit

摘要

October 19, 2012 was a dull, chilly day which most people would consider unremarkable. However, at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, outside the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's (RAF BBMF) hangar, a small crowd of engineers, aircrew and interested parties stood anticipating the first flight of Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI TE311. Perhaps, to the bystander, this seemed a common occurrence - a Spitfire flying at the RAF BBMF. But this was certainly no normal event, as this was to be TE311 's first flight for approximately 58 years, after being totally restored over the past 11 years by a small team of RAF BBMF personnel.