Has Caused Interruption In Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight Summer Air Show Season

The U.K. Royal Air Force has grounded several WWII aircraft over concerns about the engines installed on the airplanes.

The U.K. newspaper The Guardian reports that the RAF has grounded several aircraft associate with its Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). Four Spitfires, two Hurricanes and a Lancaster bomber have been grounded until an issue with the engine aboard one of the Hurricanes can be checked out, according to the report.

The BBMF airplanes had been scheduled to fly at Biggin Hill festival of flight near London, and the Eastbourne international airshow in East Sussex. A public display at the Weymouth carnival was also cancelled.

A spokesman for the RAF said that the issue with the Merlin engine is still under investigation, and it was not known when they would be again cleared for flight. “A routine inspection has highlighted a fault with one of the Merlin engines in a Hurricane aircraft,” the spokesman said. “We are currently investigating the fault and, as a precaution, flying of Merlin engine-powered aircraft has been paused.

“We are still operating Griffon-powered aircraft, including Spitfires, and Chipmunks. We realize the disappointment this will be to many supporters and airshow organizers, however safety is our paramount concern.”

The BBMF has six Spitfires, two Hurricane Mk II Cs, the Lancaster, a C47 Dakota and two Chipmunks in airworthy condition in its collection based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

(Hawker Hurricane image courtesy Richard Paver from file)

FMI: www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf, Original Report