RAF clears Spitfires and Hurricanes to fly after pilot's death
The Royal Air Force (RAF) has cleared its Spitfires and Hurricanes to fly in air shows again following a fatal crash last year.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF)'s single-seat fighters were all grounded in May 2024 after Squadron Leader Mark Long, once tipped as a future commanding officer of the BBMF, was killed.
His Spitfire Mark IX crashed shortly after take-off from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on its way to a flying display.
The subsequent 10-month grounding of all BBMF fighters powered by V12 Rolls-Royce Merlin engines had led to speculation that the historic machines would be sold off by the RAF to save money.
But the BBMF said on Friday the planes would take to the skies once again, adding: 'We look forward to seeing you around the country and having a great display season celebrating the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day.'
Of the 11 aircraft taking part in the BBMF, six are powered by Merlins. Two of its Spitfires are powered by Rolls-Royce Griffons, which are also V12 engines but are slightly different from Merlins, and one of those aircraft was cleared to return to the air last year.
A defence source said that 'thorough engineering checks' had been carried out allowing the Merlin-powered Spitfires and Hurricanes to fly again.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'We can confirm that the RAF has cleared Merlin powered Hurricanes and Spitfires to return to flying this season.
'Whilst the investigation into the fatal accident involving Spitfire Mk IXe MK356 on 25 May 24 continues, all available evidence has been considered in making the decision to return to flying.
'This will see all BBMF aircraft types flying again this year, the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.'
Although the formal service inquiry into the crash of the Spitfire Mark IX has not concluded, The Telegraph understands that the RAF had 'received some advice' regarding its progress.
The cause of May's crash is being reviewed by the Defence Accident Investigation Branch, which is expected to publish a formal report in due course.
The BBMF exists to commemorate all 1.2 million RAF personnel who served during the Second World War, with its aircraft acting as a flying memorial to the 70,000 killed.
BBMF personnel have paid tribute to Sqn Ldr Long by incorporating his name into the markings on the side of the BBMF's Spitfire Mk XVI TE311.
Instead of a three-letter RAF squadron-and-aircraft code, the Spitfire now bears the letters L-NG on its starboard side. When read together with the RAF roundel in the middle, the letters spell out his surname.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
21 minutes ago
- Wales Online
105-year-old Second World War airman given funeral family 'never dreamt of'
105-year-old Second World War airman given funeral family 'never dreamt of' Fred Jeacock has been described as reserved and someone who never liked being called a hero A piper leads the funeral cortege at Swansea Crematorium, Morriston (Image: Wales Online ) The funeral of a 105-year-old former RAF flight lieutenant from Swansea who flew 30 bombing missions in the Second World War was something to behold, said his son. Alan Jeacock was touched by the efforts made by Armed Forces groups to give his father, Fred, a dignified send-off at Swansea Crematorium, Morriston. A piper and standard bearers led the funeral cortege into the cemetery, there was a guard of honour, and a bugler played Last Post at the end of the service. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here Surrey-born Fred Jeacock enlisted in the RAF as a flight mechanic six months before the outbreak of war in 1939. Due to a long wait to start a flight mechanic course he trained as a barrage balloon operator - a role that brought him to Swansea in 1940. While living in a vacated school building in St Thomas he met the school janitor's granddaughter, Joan, who would later become his wife. Fred Jeacock makes his final journey (Image: John Myers ) Mr Jeacock left Swansea to do an engine mechanics course and signed up for air crew service. That led to a flight engineer course at St Athan, then training in Halifax and on Lancaster bombers. He was seconded to a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron after it suffered heavy losses and saw action as a flight engineer over the skies of Germany. He later recalled: "The worst time was just waiting by the aircraft for instructions to get in and get going." Article continues below A young Fred Jeacock (bottom left) (Image: courtesy of Alan Jeacock ) Mr Jeacock's funeral took place on June 3 and was officiated by the Reverend Canon Hugh Lervy, of All Saints Church, Mumbles. The hymn, Abide With Me, was sung, and a eulogy was read Mr Jeacock's grandson, Stephen. "It was excellent," said Alan of the eulogy. "He (Stephen) had been talking to my father a lot over the last 12 months or so. My father was coming out with stories, and telling him about his youth." Family and friends gathered afterwards at Swansea Dockers Sports and Social Club, St Thomas. His dedication to his country was acknowledged (Image: Wales Online ) Alan said he was grateful to the City of Swansea RAF Association, the Royal British Legion and Swansea Council's armed forces champion, Cllr Wendy Lewis, for their support. Describing the funeral, Alan, of Manselton, said he couldn't have wished for better. "It was something to be seen," he said. "I never dreamt it would be like that." After the war, Mr Jeacock settled into civilian life. He worked in a number of jobs before being employed as a cable inspector for Aluminium Wire and Cable Company, Port Tennant. He liked working on cars and was, said Alan, a "marvellous" dad. Fred Jeacock pictured with Swansea councillor Wendy Lewis Mr Jeacock, who enjoyed the annual Wales Airshow, Swansea, died on April 23. Those attending the funeral included his youngest brother, Ron, aged 98, and his family, and RAF Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Rob Woods. Article continues below Speaking last month, Cllr Lewis said she would remember Mr Jeacock fondly. "Fred was a reserved Englishman and he never liked being called a hero, last year at the air show he couldn't understand why everyone wanted to meet him," she said.
The Sun
27 minutes ago
- The Sun
Young Ukrainian soldier dies at UK military barracks as MoD issues statement over ‘immensely sad' tragedy
A UKRAINIAN soldier has been found dead at a training base in the UK. The unnamed recruit was discovered at a barracks in East Anglia on Wednesday night. 1 Emergency services raced to the scene but were unable to resuscitate him. The Sun understands the death is not being treated as suspicious. The man, believed to be in his mid-20s, was discovered by comrades at around 8pm in a room used to dry wet clothes. Civilian police and paramedics attended but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The man, believed to be in his mid-20s, was one of over 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers who have been trained in the UK, as part of Operation Interflex, to defend their country against Russia. The troops learn infantry tactics, trench warfare and how to defend themselves from drones in an intense five week course. The Sun has not revealed the location of the camp as some bases used to train Ukrainian troops have been targeted by Russian spies. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: 'It is with immense sadness that we can confirm the death of a Ukrainian soldier in the UK on June 4, 2025."
Belfast Telegraph
16 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Trump says Putin told him Russia will respond to Ukrainian attack on airfields
The US president said in a social media post that 'it was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate peace.' The call that lasted for an hour and 15 minutes was Mr Trump's first known with Mr Putin since May 19. Mr Trump said he and Mr Putin also discussed Iran's nuclear programme. Ukraine's Security Service gave more details on Wednesday about its weekend drone strike on Russian air bases, which it claimed destroyed or damaged 41 Russian aircraft, including strategic bombers. The agency claimed the planes struck included A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22, Tu-160, An-12, and Il-78 aircraft, adding that artificial intelligence helped guide the drones thousands of kilometres from Ukraine. It also said it set off an explosion on Tuesday on the seabed beneath the Kerch Bridge, a vital transport link between Russia and illegally annexed Crimea, claiming it caused damage to the structure. But Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that there was no damage. Russia's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that its troops have taken control of another village in Ukraine's northern Sumy region, on the border with Russia. Mr Putin announced on May 22 that Russian troops aim to create a buffer zone that might help prevent Ukrainian cross-border attacks. Since then, Russia's Ministry of Defence claims its forces have taken control of nine Sumy villages. Mr Trump says part of his call with Mr Putin was focused on Iran and 'the fact that time is running out on Iran's decision pertaining to nuclear weapons, which must be made quickly!' Mr Trump said in a post on his social media site that he told Russia's president 'that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement'. He said Mr Putin suggested 'that he will participate in the discussions with Iran' and could perhaps 'be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion'. Mr Trump previously boasted that a major announcement on Iran was coming – but none has materialised. He suggested in his latest post that Iran has been slow-walking their decision 'and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!'. Iran's supreme leader on Wednesday criticised an initial proposal from the US in negotiations over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme, though he stopped short of entirely rejecting the idea of agreement with Washington. The remarks by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei coloured in the red line expressed over recent days – one that says Tehran refuses to give up enriching uranium in any possible deal with the US. That demand has been repeatedly made by American officials, including President Donald Trump, though it remains unclear just how much US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff brought it up in his initial proposal to Iran. But what Ayatollah Khamenei did not say in his speech matters as well. He did not reject the talks, which Iran views as crucial for its economy to lift some the crushing economic sanctions it faces. Ayatollah Khamenei also did not insist on any specific level of nuclear enrichment. Iran now enriches uranium up to 60% – a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, who has led the talks with Mr Witkoff, said Tehran will soon offer its response to the US. Ayatollah Khamenei's speech Wednesday at the mausoleum of Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini may serve as a preview. 'If we had 100 nuclear power plants while not having enrichment, they are not usable for us,' he said. 'If we do not have enrichment, then we should extend our hand (begging) to the US.'
