The sky’s the limit
Squadron Leader Clive Rowley MBE shares stories of WWII with visiting children
Welcome investment sees BBMF flying into extraordinary year of milestones and improvement.
Lincolnshire’s famous Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), based at RAF Coningsby, is reaching new heights during an incredible year of milestones.
Originally opened to showcase the UK’s priceless historic aircraft and honour the extraordinary men and women who flew and supported them, the BBMF is now flying into a landmark year.
March 2026 marked 50 years since the commemorative flight first touched down in Lincolnshire - and if that wasn’t enough, the much-loved visitor centre is celebrating 40 years of welcoming aviation fans through its doors.
Over the past 12 months, around 30,000 visitors have stepped inside to see the Lancaster, Spitfires and Hurricanes and to explore the wonderful stories behind these iconic aircraft. Now, thanks to a £70,000 investment from Lincolnshire County Council, the experience has had an exciting refresh.
Among the friendly faces ready to guide you through the BBMF experience is Squadron Leader Clive Rowley MBE - a man whose connection to the Flight runs deep.
After flying RAF fighter jets like the Tornado and the legendary Lightning, he’s clocked up 30 years with the BBMF, including 11 years as a fighter pilot and eventually becoming Officer Commanding.
Since 2006, he’s swapped the cockpit for the visitor centre, spending nearly two decades as one of the 45-strong team of guides sharing the stories that matter.
And for Clive, it’s more than just a role - it’s personal.“Working here is an emotional rollercoaster,” he said. “The BBMF means so much, not just to us, but to the visitors too. It’s not just the planes, although they are wonderful, it’s the people and the
memories they carry.”
Visitors often arrive searching for a connection to their past, bringing along logbooks, photos, or simply family stories.
And when they see an aircraft their relatives may have flown in during WWII, the emotion can be overwhelming.
“We see people become quite emotional,” Clive explains. “It’s a real connection to history. Even those who didn’t expect to be captivated like partners tagging along for the day find themselves drawn in.
“You’d be surprised how many say they only came because of their husband, but leave truly moved by the human stories behind the aircraft.”
With major anniversaries, a refreshed visitor centre, and numerous stories waiting to be told, there’s never been a better time to visit the BBMF.
Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast or just curious about the past, one thing’s certain – you will leave with a deeper appreciation of the people who shaped history and the aircraft that still keep their legacy alive.
Plan your visit to the revamped centre at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/bbmf.
Keeping stories alive
Cllr Natalie Oliver enjoying her visit to the centre
The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) consists of 11 historic, airworthy aircraft.
The famous Avro Lancaster is currently away undergoing maintenance, due to return to the Flight next year. Yet, still available to view are also five Supermarine Spitfires, two Hawker Hurricanes, a Douglas C-47 Dakota, and two de Havilland Chipmunks.
These aircraft are impressive enough on their own, but put them together with their fascinating stories of heroism and you have a memorable visitor experience.
Executive councillor for culture, Cllr Natalie Oliver, said: “It is an absolute privilege to host the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in Lincolnshire,honouring the brave men and women who defended our skies and fought for our freedom.
“Through this investment, we are protecting and promoting our county’s proud aviation heritage, ensuring those sacrifices are never forgotten. As we celebrate this milestone, I’d like to say a special thank you to our Royal Air Force colleagues, and to our incredible volunteer tour guides, who keep the stories alive with tremendous passion and dedication.”
The revamped BBMF Visitor Centre
The amazing ‘tail’ of an unexpected flight
Margaret Horton sitting on the tail of a Spitfire
This is the story of a routine job gone wildly wrong, and the bravery of a woman who thought she faced certain death.
In 1945, Margaret Horton served as a mechanic with Britain’s Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) at RAF Hibaldstowe in North Lincolnshire. One unusual element of her job was to sit on the tail of a Spitfire to keep the aircraft stable while taxiing to the runway.
One blustery day, Horton climbed onto the tail of Spitfire AB910 – which is one of the current stars of the BBMF.
Margaret planned to hop off before take-off, as usual. But something went wrong. The pilot, Flt.Lt. Neill Cox, didn’t know she was on the tail and, unable to see her from his cockpit, he took off with Margaret hanging on for dear life.
Years later, Margaret recalled the moment, saying: “The violently increased rate at which we were taxiing told me that something was wrong. I threw myself across the fuselage and tried to move the plane’s elevator to get the pilot’s attention.”
At 600 feet, she felt the blood rush to her head and she believed that she was already dead. “I’ve muffed it for the last time,” she thought.
Meanwhile, in the cockpit, Flt.Lt. Cox was struggling to control the aircraft with Margaret’s weight on the tail and her grip on the elevator. He radioed in a mechanical issue, but control tower staff, who had glimpsed Horton clinging to the tail didn’t tell him the truth. They feared it might cause confusion.
A short time later, Cox landed the Spitfire as smoothly as possible.
Horton slipped off the tail, staggered a few steps, then ran back to retrieve her beret, which had miraculously stayed on through the entire flight and only fallen off on landing.
