The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Avro Lancaster has flown to Duxford to begin a planned maintenance period that will see it miss the 2026 show season.
The Avro Lancaster PA474 was built in 1945 and delivered too late for use in the Second World War, but has been established since 1973 as the heart of the Royal Air Force’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). The aircraft, also known as “The City of Lincoln”, is a regular centerpiece of domestic flights over London and is featured at air shows across the UK during the summer display season each year, usually flanked by the BBMF’s Spitfires and Hurricanes.
To ensure the long-term sustainability of the operation of this beautiful aircraft, one of only two airworthy Lancasters in the world, a major maintenance check is required approximately every eight years. Led by experts from the Aircraft Restoration Company, based at Duxford Airfield, PA474 will be completely dismantled and rebuilt during a process expected to last at least 18 months.
While the Lancaster is not available, the BBMF’s Douglas C-47 Dakota will step up and cover the regular responsibilities of the PA474. The Dakota itself has He recently returned to the flight after a longer than expected review period which saw him spend three years at Duxford. As well as being an important part of RAF history itself, the BBMF’s operation of a Dakota also allows crew training for a type of multi-engine tailwheel aircraft (not otherwise operated by the RAF) without consuming the extremely valuable flying hours of their Lancaster.
The BBMF Dakota, serial ZA947, was originally delivered to the US Army Air Force in 1942 before rapid transfer to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) under a lend-lease agreement. ZA947 was transferred to RCAF European forces in 1965 and served there until 1969, at which time it was declared surplus and came into use by the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) in Great Britain. It was assigned the British serial number KG661, but this was later discovered to have been a mistake: that serial number had previously been assigned to a subsequently destroyed aircraft. The aircraft received the more contemporary ZA947 series in 1979 and joined the BBMF in 1993.
As part of the overhaul of ZA947, the aircraft was repainted in a new color scheme representative of an RAF Dakota that served with 31 Squadron in the Pacific theater of the Second World War. As such, the aircraft now bears the RAF Far East Command-style circle, with two shades of blue and no central red dot, developed to avoid misidentification as a Japanese aircraft.
Our Dakota spent the night in @RAFNortholtbut now he is on his journey back home 👀✈️ #dakota #ZA947 pic.twitter.com/X6iLlwW07Q
– RAF BBMF (@RAFBBMF) September 19, 2025
Squadron Leader Paul Wise, commanding officer of the BBMF and one of the pilots of both the Lancaster and the Dakota, said the Dakota was The “unsung hero” of flight. Of the Lancaster maintenance program, he says: “We want to keep them flying indefinitely.” He added: “In order to do this, they have to be taken offline from time to time to undergo an in-depth maintenance procedure for a major service. It’s usually every eight years or so and it will be taken down, so there’s nothing new other than crossing our fingers for a quick return.”
Several million people across the UK come each year to see BBMF aircraft at various events. It is centrally funded by the Ministry of Defense but is also supported by public donations through supporters groups. Most of the flight staff spend their time in addition to regular Royal Air Force duties, with only a small core of full-time crew forming the backbone of the team.
Historic RAF training flight
On 23 October, taking advantage of the brief period in which both the Lancaster and Dakota were available, the Royal Air Force conducted a special formation flight with both aircraft flying side by side, led by a Spitfire and an Airbus A400M Atlas C1 in active service. All aircraft, apart from the Spitfire, were flown by crews who are actively serving or have served with No. 30 Squadron RAF, one of two frontline Atlas units.
Commemorating a legacy, celebrating duty. ✈️
The iconic BBMF Spitfire, Lancaster and Dakota flew in historic formation with the RAF A400M, uniting past and present. pic.twitter.com/zTvc9q1x29
— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) October 28, 2025
Squadron Leader Wise, who commanded the Dakota during training, said: “This event provided a remarkable opportunity to bridge the RAF’s illustrious past with its current dynamic frontline roles. Many of the responsibilities and values upheld by the RAF today have their roots in the pioneering efforts of the brave Second World War generation. Their dedication and sacrifice laid the foundations for the modern force we see today. As we commemorate their legacy, we also celebrate the RAF’s continued commitment to safeguarding our Nation, honoring the past while looking toward the challenges and responsibilities of the future.”
