Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
The famous Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. The Flight consists of an Avro Lancaster, five Supermarine Spitfires, two Hawker Hurricanes, two Chipmunks, and a Douglas Dakota. All are still flying and can be seen at a variety of air shows in the display season.
There is a Visitors Centre next to the RAF base with free entry and a large free car park. The Centre boasts a permanent gallery and several temporary exhibitions plus a remarkably well-stocked shop. (Ed - it's worth a visit just to see the items on offer in the shop.)
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Visitors can take an in-depth guided tour of the hangar, lasting approximately one hour, where they can get close to the aircraft, watch the RAF technicians at work and listen to some remarkable stories of bravery and achievement.
The actual hangar visits are by guided tours only - a price guide is shown below. As the promotional material says, You will be shown around the hangar by incredibly knowledgeable volunteer guides, many of whom have first hand experience of the aircraft. They are all keen volunteers ensuring that the public appreciate this living tribute to all RAF aircrew and ground crew who gave their lives in the Second World War.
Within the hangar, you will see the Avro Lancaster - one of only two airworthy Lancasters in the world. This is the aircraft that you will have seen on TV at royal ceremonies - the one which dropped a million poppies on Pall Mall.
The Douglas Dakota is still used as a transport aircraft for the flight and for training in multi-engine tail-wheel flying. The two Chipmunks are also used for training pilots on tail-wheel flying.
The selection of five spitfires includes the oldest Spitfire still to be flying and the last ever operational aircraft. The two magnificent Hurricanes are the last ever to be built and the last one ever to enter service.
Opening times
The Visitor Centre is open Monday to Friday, 10.00am until 5.00pm. Guided tours of the hangar take place from 10.30am until 3.30pm (3.00pm November to February). The Visitor Centre is normally closed weekends, all public holidays and two weeks over the Christmas/New Year period.
Unfortunately, due to RAF and display commitments, the presence of any particular aircraft cannot be guaranteed.
Hangar Tours Admission Prices
Adults: £3.70
Concessions*: £2.15
Family Ticket**: £9.60
Groups 20+: £3.35
Schools Groups: £1.00
Children: 0-5 FREE
Carers: FREE
*Concessionary Rate:- includes age 60+, unemployed, under 16, full-time students, those in receipt of means tested benefits.
**Family Ticket:- Admits 2 Adults & up to 3 children.
Spitfire PS915 (Mk XIX) - 'The Last' »
RAF Coningsby
The new European fighter the Typhoon operates out of RAF Coningsby. Take a tip from our photographer and make sure that you have spare batteries after your hangar visit just in case you're lucky enough to see the Typhoon being given a trial or two.... his batteries failed!
