European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 28, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Five spot Flea two Hurricane and a Lancaster Bombar right make up the Battle of Britain memorial flight. When not faking part in Showa the planar Are on it play in a hangar at Raf coning by 120 met a Northeast of London. Aging fighters on display by Amy Geiszler Jones . Bureau w Ith the Roar of sophisticated Tornado fighter jets overhead a world War ii Veteran tells War stories to a group of people who be come to the Royal air Force base at Coningsby England to see other types of fighter planes. Stored in a hangar next to the Airfield Are eight irreplaceable aircraft classic planes that Are an integral part of British history. Five spitfires two hurricanes and a Lancaster bomber make up the historic collection of aircraft known As the Raf Battle of Britain memorial flight kept in mint condition by a group of 18 British air Force engineers and mechanics these magnificent flying machines Are flown by Raf pilots at summer air shows. Although Only one of the planes a spitfire actually saw action in what s been called the Raf s Quot finest hour Quot the flight honors the fliers who protected their Island nation from a German invasion in 1940. Because of their part in the country s Aerial heritage demand for the planes to participate at events is High but the Raf participation committee which acts on the requests limits the time the aircraft can be in the air to avoid stress and fatigue to the aging airframes. The regulations have been Bent to accommodate More requests this year the battlers 50th anniversary. With a bit of Quot careful positioning of resources Quot by taking such things As location into account the flight can do several events in an afternoon explained warrant officer Barry Sears chief Engineer for the aircraft. The flight also often divides up accounting for the High number of shows it does in a summer. Quot a great Deal of our Job is or going out and meeting people Quot said Sears. Quot Young kids Are Over the Moon when they see these  Quot you la get an old Chap coming up and telling us he flew in one of those Quot said Squadron Leader Mac Mckendrick one of the navigators for the Lancaster Whan these propeller driven planes Aren t being flown or displayed at various celebrations they make their Home at Raf Coningsby. Visitors May take guided Tours of the hangar for a closer look. The 36 Volunteer guides All world War ii veterans Embel ii s h their Tours with colourful stories. Peter Bond a former Lancaster Bombardier likes to end his Tours in front of the Behemoth bomber with a Story about a rear gunner who bailed out of a burning Lancaster without his Parachute and survived albeit badly injured. His 25,000-foot free fall was broken by a tree. One of the two hurricanes is believed to be the last of 14,533 hurricanes built and was once owned by Princess Margaret Queen Elizabeth Llos sister the other was the last to enter into service for the Raf currently there Are Only four airworthy hurricanes in the world. The spitfire that fought in the Battle of Britain is reputed to be the oldest flying spitfire remaining also included in the flights inventory is a 41-year-old de Havilland Devon used for support and communications operations. It is the Only one of its Type still in Raf service. Barry Saara left and Allan Marah pole with a Vintage spitfire fighter in a hangar at Raf coning by. A amps Amy 0vj�l�r-Jorh War Memorabilia Are also displayed in a Small visitors Center outside the flights hangar at Raf Coningsby in Lincolnshire. It is open weekdays from 10 . To 5 p.m., with the exception of British holidays and the Christmas new year period. Tours of the flight s hangar Between 10 . And 3 30 p.m., Are arranged through the Center and Cost 1 Pound 50 Pence for adults and 75 Pence for children a Pound is about $1.86. Visitors interested in the Tours Are advised to Call 0526 44041, to Check if the aircraft will be there to Telephone from outside the United kingdom you have to use a National country code and drop the 0 from the British prefix when dealing. Raf Coningsby is located about 20 Miles Northwest of Boston by the Wash an Inlet of the North sea a 120 Miles Northeast of London. Battle of Britain a amps Amy gsi2lar-Jone� exhibit. Museum of army flying. Raf Middle Wallop until december. Included in its exhibit is a Model of the base As it looked aug. 15 0264 a62t/l.lex,wfia�?~,ack for inform Ion. Battle Over Britain display old Warden aerodrome Biggleswade aug. 5. This exhibit will commemorate events of both world War i and world War ii for information Call 076727 288. Shipway Battle of Britain festival Folkestone p a vents include an air show 1940s concerts and dances and Street parties for information Call 0303 58594. Battle of Britain air Day 90. Raf St. Athan cry,5�ljs g,amor9an sept-15. An annual air Snow that this year commemorates the Battle of a by ther Afred arrows the Fol Bap 1 c t memorial fli9ht nato aircraft and a a s Falcon free fall Parachute team Are 798651 t0 appear for information Call 0446 sub retain commemoration London ii the Battle ally past of aircraft into Ved units and veterans. 6 Marohn past a Ltd ?,90�?Tept 16 air show featuring the Battle of Britain memorial flight and the red arrows Bau Emoff Twar mus6um h8s a and the Battle of Britain operations room As it looked in ore&350to f for information Call 0223 833963 vote he be from outside the United kingdom you have to use a National country code and drop the 0 from the British prefix when dealing. Page 16 a a a the stars and stripes saturday july 28, 1990