July 1957

Historic Aircraft Flight forms at RAF Biggin Hill with one Hurricane (LF363) and 3 x Mk XIX Spitfires (PM631, PS853 and PS915).

September 1957

Spitfire XIX PS915 grounded until 1986.

October 1957

3 x Mk XVI Spitfires join the Flight (TE330, TE476 and SL674).

Feb/Mar 1958

RAF Biggin Hill closes. Flight moves to RAF North Weald.

April 1958

Spitfire XIX PS853 leaves the Flight (rejoins in 1964).

May 1958

RAF North Weald closes. Flight moves to RAF Martlesham Heath.

September 1959

2 x Spitfire XVIs retired from service due to accidents (TE476 and SL674). Spitfire XVI (TE330) donated to the Smithsonian Institute.

November 1961

Flight moves to RAF Horsham St Faith.

April 1963

Flight moves to RAF Coltishall.

June 1969

Renamed as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

1972

Flight acquires Hurricane IIc (PZ865) from Hawker Aircraft.

1973

Flight acquires Lancaster B1 (PA474) from 44 Squadron

1976

Flight moves to RAF Coningsby.

April 1983

Flight acquires Chipmunk T10 (WK518) (ex RAF Manston).

1985

Flight acquires DH Devon (retired 1993, sold 1997).

September 1991

Hurricane LF363 out of service due to an accident, awaiting re-build.

July 1993

C47 (DC3) Dakota (ZA947) acquired (ex Boscombe Down).

June 1994

Spitfire XIX PS853 sold to defray costs of rebuild on Hurricane LF363.

June 1995

Flight acquires Chipmunk T10 (WG486) (ex RAF Gatow, Berlin).

November 1997

Flight acquires Spitfire MkIX (MK356) (ex St Athan Museum collection).

September 1998

Hurricane LF363 returns to service after re-build.

2000

Flight granted semi-autonomous status as an independent unit.

April 2002

Two non-flying Spitfire XVIs (TE311 and TB382) allocated to BBMF for spares support. TB382 dismantled for spares and struck off charge. TE311 becomes part of a ‘spares recovery’ programme.

2007

BBMF’s 50th Anniversary of Commemorative Service.

2007

TE311 officially added to the BBMF establishment.