16 April 2009

Spitfire veteran visits BBMF

On Thursday 2 April, OC BBMF at RAF Conningsby was delighted to host a visit from a very special visitor, a veteran Spitfire pilot. Mr Alan "Griff" Griffin visited the flight with his nephew, Terry Heggs to meet OC BBMF and also to see a Spitfire again.

It was a very special day for all involved as, over coffee, Griff shared his memories and experiences with Sqn Ldr Al Pinner, OC BBMF and Sqn Ldr Dunc Mason, the future OC BBMF taking over in 2013. Dunc is currently a new fighter pilot with BBMF, having just carried out his check flights on the Hurricane.

Listening to Griff, it was evident that the sorties carried out during the war were flown by extremely brave and courageous pilots. Some of his stories about landing in fog and carrying out low level missions certainly illustrated the sense of humour the aircrew had too!

Once in the hangar, Griff was very quickly up and seated in Spitfire MK356, currently in a silver paint scheme representing UF-Q, MJ250 of No 601 (County of London) Squadron the aircraft of Flt Lt Desmond Ibbotson DFC.

For more information visit: www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/news