The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Air Crew | Ground Crew | Headquarters Staff

The Groundcrew of the Flight

The Flight's 11 aircraft are unique within the modern Royal Air Force and represent the last piston-powered �tail-draggers' in regular military use. The airworthy maintenance, to full flying condition, of these historic airframes falls to 25 aircraft tradesmen headed by a Warrant Officer engineer. They are, in turn, supported by all the necessary back-up provided by their home base, RAF Coningsby. The BBMF aircraft, although relatively simple by modern standards, demand particular skills and understanding that are no longer part of mainstream RAF training programmes. Acquisition of spare parts brings its own special challenges, although an extensive inventory is held by the Flight.

During the winter months a comprehensive maintenance programme is completed and all the display aircraft receive in-depth scheduled servicing

The majority of the BBMF groundcrew are volunteers for posts on the Flight and they often have to work irregular and sometimes prolonged hours, especially at weekends and during the display season, in support of the display effort. The BBMF engineering team are dedicated professionals who enthusiastically support the belief that, although the debt of gratitude can never be repaid, as long as the Flight's aircraft are kept flying they will be a lasting memorial to those who went before.

BBMF ENGINEERS

Warrant Officer Dick Harmer (BBMF Engineering Officer) joined the RAF in 1963 as a Boy Entrant Engine Mechanic. Since then he has served at over a dozen units, in varying capacities, embracing tours on 7 operational flying squadrons. Aircraft types that he has worked on include Hastings , Shackletons, Brittanias, Gnats, F4 Phantoms, Jaguars, Tornado and Chinooks. These tours of duty have taken him through England , Scotland and Wales to the Far East, Germany , the Falkland Islands and the Gulf. He is now a Full Time Reservist and he is responsible for overseeing all engineering activities on the BBMF to keep the Flight's aircraft airworthy.

Flight Sgt Roy Talbot (BBMF Quality Assurance Coordinator) joined the RAF in 1970 as an apprentice Navigational Instrument Fitter. Since then he has served at RAF Brize Norton on VC10, Belfast , and Britannia aircraft. From 1977 to 1982 he had tours at RAF Wittering 2 nd Line and 3(F) Sqn Harriers. A return to UK saw a tour at EIDIT, Sealand and in 1989 returned for 9years to 1 Sqn RAF Wittering. Out of area tours have included the Falkland Islands and Persian Gulf . Following a logistics tour at RAF Wyton Roy has joined BBMF for his last tour of duty and this will be his first season.

Chief Technician Paul Blackah (Airframe Specialist) joined the RAF in 1975 and has worked on Bloodhound missiles with 85 Squadron at West Raynham, VC-10 second-line at Brize Norton and Andover second-line with 115 Squadron at Benson before joining the BBMF in 1993 as Airframe Trade Manager. He converted to Full Time Reserve Service in 2001 and this will be his fifteenth season with the BBMF.

Chief Technician Keith Brenchley (Propulsion Specialist) joined the RAF in 1979 as an engine technician. He has served at Brawdy and Lossiemouth on Hunter aircraft and on Nimrods at St Mawgan. In 1987 he was posted to Woodhall Spa where he served in the Phantom Spey engine bay before joining the BBMF as Engine Trade Manager in 1992. He became a full-time reservist in October 2002, continuing to serve with the BBMF. This is his sixteenth season with the Flight.

Sergeant James Lay 'Griff' (Electrical and Avionics Specialist) joined the RAF in 1991. After completing trade training at RAF Halton his first posting was 101 Sqn at RAF Brize Norton. There he worked on the tanker variant of the VC-10 aircraft. On promotion to Corporal in 2000 he was posted to 54(F) Sqn at RAF Coltishall where he worked on the Jaguar aircraft type. Upon disbandment of the squadron in 2005 he moved to 6 Sqn, Jaguars also at Coltishall. Following the relocation of 6 Sqn to RAF Coningsby in 2006,Griff was promoted to Sergeant joining the BBMF in 2007 and this is his second season.

Sergeant Mark Arnold (Engineering Controller) joined the RAF in 1987 as a propulsion mechanic. After training he worked on F4 Phantoms with 74 Squadron and then completed a fitter's course before being posted to work with Tornado GR1s at Honington, Lossiemouth and Bruggen between 1991 and 1998. After a short tour with 29 Sqn at Coningsby on the Tornado F3 he moved to BBMF as a Corporal in the propulsion team in August 1998. After 5 years with the Flight he moved to RAF Cottesmore to work on Harrier GR7/7As at Nos 3(F) and 4(AC) Squadrons, during which time he was promoted to Sergeant. In November 2005 he returned to BBMF for a second tour with the Flight.

Corporal Andy Bale joined the RAF in 1985. After completing trade training at Cosford he worked on the second line maintenance of F4 Phantom flight systems equipment at Wattisham. In 1990, he was moved onto the first line maintenance of E-3D AWACS �Sentry' aircraft at Waddington. At the start of 2007 Andy converted to RAF reserve service and continues with the Flight as an Avionic specialist. This is his ninth season with the BBMF, having joined the Flight in October 1999.

Corporal Nigel Bunn joined the RAF in 1979 and has served at Linton-on-Ouse and Coningsby working on Jet Provost and Phantom aircraft. He joined the BBMF in 1988 after a tour on Shackletons at Lossiemouth. He is now a full-time reservist and is one of the BBMF's most experienced engine technicians with seventeen years of experience on the Flight.

Corporal Neil Clegg is from Sheffield and returned to the BBMF for a second tour in August 2005, having previously served with the Flight between January 2001 and November 2003 as a Junior Technician. He joined the RAF in 1991 and has worked on Canberras with 39 Squadron, Tornados at St Athan, the Red Arrows and most recently, Harrier GR7s with 1(F) Squadron at Cottesmore. This is his sixth season with the BBMF.

Corporal Mark Crosby joined the RAF in 1990 and his initial posting, after training, was to RAF Brize Norton, where he carried out scheduled maintenance on VC10 aircraft. This was followed by tours on 101 Squadron maintaining the tanker variant of the VC10 and then on the �heavy rectification' team of 10 Squadron (VC10s). Mark then served at RAF Waddington maintaining the E-3D Sentry aircraft. This is his third season with the BBMF.

Corporal Craig Facey joined the RAF in 1995. On completion of training he was posted to Coningsby on the Tornado F3s of 5 Squadron. After further training at Cosford, he was posted back to Coningsby to serve on the Tornado Modification Team and Aircraft Maintenance Flight. After a tour in the Falkland Islands, he was posted to Marham, where he served in the Aircraft Electrical Bay and Tornado Propulsion Flight. He joined the BBMF in June 2005 and this is his third season.

Corporal Dave Ford joined the RAF in 1992 as an engine mechanic and, after training, joined the BBMF on his first tour with the Flight from September 1992 until 1997. After further training, he was posted to the Tornado Propulsion Flight at Lossiemouth, then to work on the C130J Hercules at Lyneham and subsequently to the Tornado Engine Bay at Marham. He rejoined the BBMF for a third tour as a Corporal in the Propulsion Trade Team in September 2005.

Corporal Norman Pringle (Training Cell) joined the RAF in 1979 and has served at Brize Norton, Valley, Abingdon and Coningsby. After working on VC10 aircraft he was subsequently employed as a specialist airframe repair technician and in various second line bays. He joined the BBMF in 1996 and transferred to Full Time Reserve status in 2002. After eleven years with the BBMF he now runs the Flight's Engineering Training Cell.

Junior Technician James Walker joined the RAF in September 1999 as an avionics mechanic. After training he was posted to the Red Arrows and completed a 2 year tour with the team. After further training he was posted to RAF Waddington on second-line maintenance of the Nimrod R1s. He joined the BBMF in March 2004 and this is his fifth season.

Junior Technician Mark Kirkpatrick joined the RAF in May 1997 and, on completion of training at Cosford, he was posted to Germany working on Tornado GR1s at Bruggen. After a further spell at Cosford, he joined the BBMF in November 2000 and this is his eight season with the Flight.

Junior Technician Leigh Poiner joined the RAF in February 1997 and, after training at Cosford, he was posted to Lyneham working on C130 Hercules. After completing a technician course, he was posted to 27 Squadron at Odiham working on Chinooks. This is his seventh season with the BBMF.

Junior Technician Pete Knight joined the RAF in 1997 and after training worked on Tornado GR1 scheduled maintenance at RAF Marham. Following further Training he was employed on first line maintenance of Sea King Search and Rescue helicopters at Wattisham Airfield. He joined the BBMF in December 2005 and this is his third season with the flight.

Junior Technician Scotty Baldwin joined the RAF in Sept 1998. After training at Cosford he was posted to 54(F) Sqn Jaguars , RAF Coltishall, where he was deployed on a number of detachments including Op Warden, Northern Watch , Turkey . After additional training he was posted to 31 Sqn Tornado GR4's at Marham and during this time was detached on Op Telic and various NATO exercises. Remaining at RAF Marham he had a year on 2 nd Line servicing Sidewinder missiles before joining BBMF in Feb 07. This is his second season.

Senior Aircraftsman (Tech) Mark Barlow joined the RAF in 1998. His first posting after training was to 18 Squadron at RAF Odiham on Chinook helicopters. He was also deployed on operations in Croatia and Afghanistan . After further training in 2002, he was posted to Brize Norton to work on VC10s with 10 and 101 Squadrons. This is Mark's fourth season with BBMF having joined the flight in 2004.

Senior Aircraftsman (Tech) Mathew Barron joined the RAF in August 2001. After completing his trade training was posted to 27 Squadron, at RAF Odiham where he worked on Chinook helicopters, whilst there he went on several exercises and detachments including Op Telic. This is Mat's third season having joined the flight in November 2005.

Senior Aircraftsman (Tech) Graham Russell joined the RAF in February 1999 as an aircraft mechanic. His first posting was to 13 Squadron, at RAF Marham where he worked on Tornado GR1 aircraft. After further training he was posted to IX (B) Squadron working on the Tornado GR4. During his time on these two squadrons he took part in several operational deployments including Op Bolton, Resonate and Op Telic as well as various NATO exercises. Graham joined the BBMF in January 2006 and is in his third season.

Senior Aircraftsman (Tech) Neil (Percy) Percival joined the RAF in 2000. Upon completion of trade training at RAF Cosford he was posted to 25 (F) Sqn, RAF Leeming, where he worked on Tornado F3. During this period was part of several deployments including OP Resonate ( Saudi Arabia ). Percy joined BBMF in Feb 06 and is in his third season.

Senior Aircraftsman (Tech) Jim Douthwaite joined the RAF in late 1999. Upon completion of 14 Months trade training at RAF Cosford he was posted to RAF Cottesmore, where he worked on GR7 and GR7A in the Harrier Maintenance Flight. While at Cottesmore he served with No's 1 and IV (AC) Squadrons on several Deployments including OP Telic in 2003. Jim joined the Flight in January 2006 and is in his third season.

Senior Aircraftsman (Tech) Ben Robinson joined the RAF in April 2002 and after initial training his first posting was Benson on the Merlin Helicopter servicing flight. From here he was posted to Coningsby Tyre bay where he spent a year before arriving at the Flight in July 06. This is Ben's second season on the Flight.

Senior Aircraftsman (Tech) Shane Huller joined the RAF in 2002. Upon completion of 14 Months trade training at RAF Cosford he was posted to IV(AC) Sqn working on GR7, GR9 and T10 Harrier aircraft. He has been deployed on Op Herrick at Kandahar in Afghanistan and several squadron exercises including Ex Maple Flag, ( Canada ), Ex Torpedo Focus, ( Arizona ), Ex Green Flag, ( Las Vegas ) and an exercise with the Royal Navy on HMS Illustrious. He joined the BBMF in June 2007 and this will be his second season.

Engineering Support Staff

Corporal Rodger Haythornthwaite (Supplier) joined the RAF as a supplier in January 1998. He has served at RAF Leeming with the Tornado (11 sqn), RAF Akrotiri with VC10 (101 Sqn) and RAF Brize Norton with Tristar (216 Sqn). He has had operational tours in Turkey and the Falklands Islands . He volunteered for the Flight and joined in October 2007. This is Rodger's first season with the Flight.

Mr Rod McDonald (Supplier) joined the RAF in 1967 as an apprentice Supplier. He has served at numerous units both in the UK and overseas mainly with the Harrier squadrons. After leaving the RAF in 1992 he has worked as a civilian for 15 years at RAF Cranwell in the Supply section, 10 years of which involved logistical support for the Red Arrows. He joined BBMF in November 2007 and this is his first season with the Flight.

Corporal Andrew Plevey (Survival Equipment Fitter) joined the RAF as a Survival Equipment Fitter in 1991. His first posting was to RAF Brize Norton working on VC10 and Tristar aircraft. Since then he has worked on the Tornado F3 at RAF Leeming, Puma helicopters with 33Sqn at RAF Benson and on 3 Sqn Harriers at RAF Cottesmore. He arrived at RAF Coningsby in 2005 and worked on Typhoon brakechutes before joining the BBMF for the 2007 season. This will be Andrew's second season with the Flight.

Senior Aircraftsman Richard Kirby (Survival Equipment Fitter) joined the RAF as a Survival Equipment Fitter in January 2003. After completing trade training he was posted to RAF Coltishall and worked with Jaguars. He was then posted to RAF Coningsby and helped set up facilities for 6 Sqn Jaguars final tour. Post 6 Sqn he has worked at RAF Coningsby on life rafts and the personal survival packs that are used on all aircraft. This will be Richards first season with the Flight.

Spares Recovery Staff

In 2003 the BBMF commenced a spares recovery project with the aim of identifying, categorising and cataloguing the large quantities of spare parts held by the RAF for the Flight's fleet of historic aircraft. This project has led to a much improved catalogue of spares and to the correct packaging and storage of items for future use in a single point holding. The two technicians carrying out this painstaking task, which requires considerable technical expertise are civilians employed on a contract basis. Their work will pay enormous dividends in helping to keep the BBMF's historic aircraft flying well into the future.

Pete �Gerbs' Jeffrey � joined the RAF in 1973 and after training was posted to Lightnings at RAF Coltishall. He served as an airframe fitter on the BBMF from 1974-76 and again from 1983-95, with a tour working on helicopters in between. Since leaving the RAF in December 1995, he has maintained his close connection with historic aircraft being employed by The Fighter Collection at Duxford and the Real Aeroplane Company at Breigton. His considerable expertise on historic aircraft and love of the BBMF's oldest aircraft led to his employment on the spares recovery project in 2003.

Rick Davies �joined the RAF in 1980 and on completion of propulsion trade training was posted to 43 Squadron at Leuchars, working on F4 Phantoms up to 1989. He subsequently worked for 4 years in the Phantom Aircraft Servicing Flight at Wattisham before postings to the Tornado Weapons Unit at Honington followed by the Tornado Propulsion Flight and Tornado Aircraft Maintenance Flight at Coningsby. He left the RAF in 2002 and since then has continued to work in the aircraft industry, including work in Oman and since 2003 on the BBMF spares recovery project.