New maintenance contract for Battle of Britain fighters
October 9, 2007 by Marcel van Leeuwen
The contract for the maintenance of the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Spitfires and Hurricanes has been awarded to the Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) at Duxford.
The five year contract was won by ARCo following a competitive process led by the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support Nimrod Integrated Project Team (IPT) which is responsible for the BBMF’s engineering and commercial support.
The first aircraft due for maintenance is the clipped wing Spitfire Mk LF1Xe, MK356. Having seen service in France towards the end of the Second World War, the aircraft spent 53 years as an instructional airframe, gate guardian and museum exhibit, before taking to the air again in 1997 following restoration.
The six month maintenance schedule at Duxford will include a repaint, engine replacement and numerous detailed inspections of the airframe to ensure it is ready to entertain the crowds at air shows for years to come.
Chief Tech Colin Robertson, Project Manager of the Wyton-based IPT, said:
“More than six million people watched the 750 BBMF displays and flypasts this year and they are always a firm favourite with the crowds. To keep these much-loved heritage assets operating involves knowledge, skills and experience, which only exist within the BBMF and a few highly specialised civilian companies.”
ARCo’s Managing Director, John Romaine, commented on his company’s successful bid:
“The company is delighted to have secured the BBMF fighter contract. Our dedicated and experienced team has restored many iconic aircraft over the years, but probably none so distinct, nor regarded with such esteem and affection as those of the BBMF.”
The current 443 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force scheme, as worn operationally, will be replaced by an all-silver one representing an aircraft of 601 Squadron based in Italy in 1943. The engine change will see replacement of the current MK500 Merlin with a M266 as originally fitted.
The RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. It comprises five Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Dakota, two Chipmunks and one of only two flying Lancaster bombers in the world.
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