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Wales Online
18 hours ago
- General
- Wales Online
Moment WWII bomber returns to its Broughton factory 'home' for 80th WWII commemorations
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A famous WWII aircraft has returned home to her "birthplace", now Airbus' wing building factory in Broughton 80 years on. The Avro Lancaster bomber conducted a number of flypasts over the Broughton site yesterday evening. It was flown alongside the equally iconic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane fighters. It landed at the airfield to a warm welcome from Airbus employees, government officials and community leaders - near an Airbus BelugaXL. This particular Lancaster, PA474, was built in May 1945 during the Broughton site's early years as a shadow factory for manufacturing Wellington and Lancaster bombers. During this period, the site's legacy of aerospace manufacturing excellence was written by a workforce of Broughton community members ready to meet the challenge of the day. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now (Image: Airbus) More than half of them were women joining the workforce for the first time. Decades later, the site continues to set the standard for world-class manufacturing, building wings for the Airbus A320, A330 and A350 commercial aircraft families. In a nod to this proud past and present, the BBMF Lancaster was met by an Airbus BelugaXL, the aircraft used to transport completed wings from Broughton to Airbus' Final Assembly Lines in Europe. (Image: British Aerospace print held in BAE Systems Heritage Archive (ref F1563) / Barry Guess) The Lancaster is owned and operated by the RAF's BBMF. It was the star of the recent VE Day celebrations, leading the ceremonial flypast over London. The Officer Commanding the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, RAF, said: 'Our flying season so far this year has been memorable with the VE Day celebrations, but this is one of the highlights of the year in a visit that takes our incredible aircraft back to her birthplace. "Thank you to the whole team at Airbus Broughton for the warm welcome.' Gareth Davies, Airbus' Head of Broughton site, said, 'We are honoured to host the BBMF Lancaster and mark her 80th anniversary as a reminder of the importance of British aerospace history in understanding who we are and where we want to go. (Image: BAE Systems) "Our Broughton site has a lot to be proud of, producing the wings that half the world flies on. We're a site that epitomises innovation, advanced manufacturing and a proud workforce who are at the top of their game. "It's fantastic to be celebrating our heritage with this aircraft.' The BBMF Lancaster which flew on Friday evening and is called PA474, rolled off the production line at Vickers Armstrong's Broughton (Chester) factory on 31 May 1945. It was one of a contract for 500 aircraft of which only 235 were delivered when production was cancelled in September 1945. PA474 was built modified for Far East use in preparation for proposed bombing of Japan. But with the end of the war she went directly into storage. Her later career included photographic reconnaissance, a trials aircraft and appearances in a number of feature films including "Operation Crossbow" and "The Guns of Navarone." She joined the BBMF in 1973.
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Historic bomber returns to Broughton factory for 80th WWII commemorations
A famous WWII aircraft has returned home to her "birthplace", now Airbus' wing building factory in Broughton 80 years on. The Avro Lancaster bomber conducted a number of flypasts over the Broughton site yesterday evening. It was flown alongside the equally iconic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane fighters. It landed at the airfield to a warm welcome from Airbus employees, government officials and community leaders - near an Airbus BelugaXL. This particular Lancaster, PA474, was built in May 1945 during the Broughton site's early years as a shadow factory for manufacturing Wellington and Lancaster bombers. During this period, the site's legacy of aerospace manufacturing excellence was written by a workforce of Broughton community members ready to meet the challenge of the day. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now More than half of them were women joining the workforce for the first time. Decades later, the site continues to set the standard for world-class manufacturing, building wings for the Airbus A320, A330 and A350 commercial aircraft families. In a nod to this proud past and present, the BBMF Lancaster was met by an Airbus BelugaXL, the aircraft used to transport completed wings from Broughton to Airbus' Final Assembly Lines in Europe. The Lancaster is owned and operated by the RAF's BBMF. It was the star of the recent VE Day celebrations, leading the ceremonial flypast over London. The Officer Commanding the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, RAF, said: 'Our flying season so far this year has been memorable with the VE Day celebrations, but this is one of the highlights of the year in a visit that takes our incredible aircraft back to her birthplace. "Thank you to the whole team at Airbus Broughton for the warm welcome.' Gareth Davies, Airbus' Head of Broughton site, said, 'We are honoured to host the BBMF Lancaster and mark her 80th anniversary as a reminder of the importance of British aerospace history in understanding who we are and where we want to go. "Our Broughton site has a lot to be proud of, producing the wings that half the world flies on. We're a site that epitomises innovation, advanced manufacturing and a proud workforce who are at the top of their game. "It's fantastic to be celebrating our heritage with this aircraft.' The BBMF Lancaster which flew on Friday evening and is called PA474, rolled off the production line at Vickers Armstrong's Broughton (Chester) factory on 31 May 1945. It was one of a contract for 500 aircraft of which only 235 were delivered when production was cancelled in September 1945. PA474 was built modified for Far East use in preparation for proposed bombing of Japan. But with the end of the war she went directly into storage. Her later career included photographic reconnaissance, a trials aircraft and appearances in a number of feature films including "Operation Crossbow" and "The Guns of Navarone." She joined the BBMF in 1973.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Red Arrows booked in for Guernsey Air Display
The RAF has confirmed the Red Arrows will return later this year for Guernsey's annual air said the aerobatic display team would feature at the Guernsey Air Display in the evening on Wednesday 10 will appear alongside the Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) and the Typhoon display Neal, flying display director, said: "The Reds and BBMF are stalwarts of the display, and a highlight for many." He added: "We always apply for the Typhoon but we're rarely successful so that will be a fantastic addition. "Everyone loves a fast and noisy jet."The show was held in June last year, but the Guernsey Air Display Foundation said it had changed the date to September to accommodate the Red Arrows' overseas event is being held between 18:30 and 20:00 BST to make it more accessible, particularly for students and families.
ITV News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Guernsey Air Display to showcase Red Arrows and RAF Typhoon in new evening slot
Guernsey will welcome back the Red Arrows as part of the island's popular annual air show. Also set to take to the skies are the RAF Typhoon Display Team and the Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). This year, the event has moved back to its usual September slot but will start later in the day, which organisers hope will help make it more accessible. Barry Neal, Flying Display Director, adds: "The Reds and BBMF are stalwarts of the display, and a highlight for many. "We always apply for the Typhoon but we're rarely successful so that will be a fantastic addition. Everyone loves a fast and noisy jet." Other performers include Rich Goodwin and his Pitts Biplane, and Airborne Pyrotechnics which will round off the show. Natalie Davidson, Event Organiser, says: "We're expecting much bigger crowds to be able to enjoy this wonderful event. For the first evening display to have such a great lineup of aircraft is very exciting." The Guernsey Air Display is a free event which relies on sponsorship and donations, it will take place from 6:30pm to 8pm on Wednesday 10 September.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Plaque for Spitfire crash pilot unveiled
A plaque honouring an RAF pilot who died in a Spitfire crash has been unveiled. Sqn Ldr Mark Long was killed when his plane, which belonged to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), crashed in a field near RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on 25 May 2024. The commemorative plaque was installed in the village of Market Stainton, near Market Rasen, and unveiled during a dedication ceremony at 13:00 BST. On the day of his death, Sqn Ldr Long, 43, had been due to fly over the village as part of a remembrance ceremony for the crew of a Lancaster bomber, which crashed nearby in 1943, organisers said. The plaque for Sqn Ldr Long was organised by Dan Grant, who was also involved in the memorial event for the Lancaster crew. His cousin, Flying Officer Francis Archie Randall, was the pilot of the bomber when it came down in the village on its return from a raid on Berlin on 16 December 1943. Mr Grant, a retired airline captain and aviation historian who lives in Quebec, Canada, raised money for a memorial dedicated to Flying Officer Randall – who was just 21 when he died – and the rest of the crew. He said Sqn Ldr Long had been on his way to perform a fly-past at a dedication ceremony for the memorial when his Spitfire crashed. Mr Grant said he decided to pay tribute to Sqn Ldr Long with a new plaque in his honour, which had been sponsored by the RAF. He paid tribute to Sqn Ldr Long as a man who "dedicated himself to preserving the history of the RAF, as well as defending the freedoms we now enjoy", adding that he could not be "more proud" of him. The BBMF fleet was grounded after the crash, but has since been cleared for flying and is due to take part in events during this year's display season. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. WW2 fighters cleared to fly after pilot death Daughter's tribute to dad who died in Spitfire crash RAF's 'special tribute' to Spitfire crash pilot Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
