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Prince William joins Battle of Britain Memorial Flight commemorations

Reuters Aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight are flown in an air display to mark the Flight's 60th Anniversary at RAF ConingsbyReuters
Prince William was among the spectators for a display marking the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

The Duke of Cambridge has attended an air display marking 60 years of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

The flight, known as the BBMF, is based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, and has one of only two airworthy Lancaster bombers in the world.

It was formed to honour those involved in the Battle of Britain and has taken part in thousands of events over the years.

Prince William, who is the flight's patron, also spoke to veterans.

More on this and other local stories from across Lincolnshire

AFP/Getty Group photograph with Prince William, veterans and crew from the BBMFAFP/Getty
Prince William and veterans and crew from the BBMF posed for a photograph in front of the flight's Lancaster bomber
Reuters Prince William, Patron of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, speaks with veterans at RAF ConingsbyReuters
Prince William spoke to veterans during his visit
PA Veteran Lancaster pilot Rusty Waughman meeting Prince WilliamPA
Veteran Lancaster pilot Rusty Waughman, 94, said he first flew the aircraft when he was aged 20

Veteran Rusty Waughman, 94, who was a Lancaster pilot from 1943 to 1944, spoke to Prince William.

He said he was 20 when he first piloted a Lancaster bomber.

He said 101 Squadron, which performed radio counter-measure duties, had a 60% "attrition rate".

"To survive, we were very fortunate," he said.

Reuters Prince William, patron of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, speaks with Ken Wilkinson, Battle of Britain pilotReuters
Those in attendance also included Ken Wilkinson, a Battle of Britain pilot
AFP/Getty Aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight are flown in an air display to mark the Flight's 60th Anniversary at RAF ConingsbyAFP/Getty
Spectators were treated to a display by some of the aircraft from the Flight
PA Carol VordermanPA
Carol Vorderman, who is an honorary ambassador for the Air Cadets, also took part in the commemorations
PA Prince William in the cockpit of a Chipmunk plane at RAF ConingsbyPA
In 2015, The Duke of Cambridge flew with crew from RAF Coningsby as part of commemorations to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain
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Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Keith Wilson BBMF aircraftKeith Wilson
  • The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) was formed on 11 July 1957 by Gp Capt Peter Thompson, a former Battle of Britain Hurricane pilot
  • He set about collecting and preserving examples of the main aircraft involved in the conflict to honour the RAF's defence of the UK against German attacks at the end of 1940
  • The BBMF has 12 historical aircraft, including a Lancaster - one of only two left flying in the world; the other is in Canada
  • It also has a Dakota, six Spitfires, two Hurricanes, and two Chipmunks, which are used for training
  • The flight has displayed at or flown past thousands of events as a tribute to those who have served in the RAF
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Battle of Britain Memorial Flight A view of Lincoln from inside the LancasterBattle of Britain Memorial Flight
A view of Lincoln from inside the Lancaster
Aircraft Restoration Company Lancaster bomberAircraft Restoration Company
The BBMF's Lancaster has recently undergone major maintenance, and features new nose art showing a bagpipe-playing kangaroo

The Battle of Britain was the German air force's attempt to gain air superiority over the RAF.

Their ultimate failure was one of the turning points of World War II and prevented Germany from invading Britain.