Trooping the Colour Flypast on Saturday.

[onyx39]

Taking the Mrs to London on Saturday, and by a happy co-incidence, this is happening..



https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=1015165...

[Roberty]

Nice just a shame they didn't squeeze the Vulcan in there

[ecsrobin]

Roberty said:

Nice just a shame they didn't squeeze the Vulcan in there

But why should it? All the aircraft are active military aircraft. I had numerous people at the weekend at cosford airshow saying they wanted the vulcan to take part in the derwent flypast. It has no significance to the dambusters raids.

[onyx39]

doogz said:

ecsrobin said:

But why should it? All the aircraft are active military aircraft. I had numerous people at the weekend at cosford airshow saying they wanted the vulcan to take part in the derwent flypast. It has no significance to the dambusters raids.

Are the BBMF really 'active military aircraft'?

They are owned and run by the RAF, so some would possibly argue yes?

[Eric Mc]

The BBMF is part and parcel of the RAF, is a functioning unit for such ceremonial occasions and is funded from the MoD budget.

It is definitely considered "active" in the sense that it has a formal function within the RAF's duties.

The Vulcan is privately owned and would need to paid on a commercial basis.

[Taffer]

Well the funding for the BBMF comes from the RAF and AFAIK all aircrew and several engineers are serving personnel, so I suppose they are active military aircraft in a similar vein to HMS Victory being a commissioned warship.

At least the planes fly!

[onyx39]

I suppose the burning question is, if the st hit the fan and war broke out and all available aircraft were called into battle, would they use the BBMF? I guess the answer is yes

[Eric Mc]

The Lancaster can still carry a heavier bomb load than any serving RAF aircraft.

[ecsrobin]

Eric Mc said:

The Lancaster can still carry a heavier bomb load than any serving RAF aircraft.

And the BBMF are the most serviceable squadron in the RAF! Although they're only flown 6 months a year.

All pilots are current RAF pilots who give up there spare time to fly with them. Typhoon/tornado pilots for the fighters and C17/C-130 pilots for the Dakota and lanc. The engineers are serving personnel or full time reservists.

[joe58]

The practice flew overhead the other day.

A couple of the quick snaps I could get.

[anonymous-user]

doogz said:

ecsrobin said:

But why should it? All the aircraft are active military aircraft. I had numerous people at the weekend at cosford airshow saying they wanted the vulcan to take part in the derwent flypast. It has no significance to the dambusters raids.

Are the BBMF really 'active military aircraft'?

More so than an E3

[Roberty]

ecsrobin said:

Roberty said:

Nice just a shame they didn't squeeze the Vulcan in there

But why should it? All the aircraft are active military aircraft. I had numerous people at the weekend at cosford airshow saying they wanted the vulcan to take part in the derwent flypast. It has no significance to the dambusters raids.

Because I'd like to see it.

[ecsrobin]

Roberty said:

ecsrobin said:

Roberty said:

Nice just a shame they didn't squeeze the Vulcan in there

But why should it? All the aircraft are active military aircraft. I had numerous people at the weekend at cosford airshow saying they wanted the vulcan to take part in the derwent flypast. It has no significance to the dambusters raids.

Because I'd like to see it.

There's plenty of opportunity to see it flying unfortunately its quite a tame display these days.