Lancaster bomber flypast times this weekend as BBMF commemorates Dam Busters raid

A range of iconic Second World War aircraft are taking to the skies this weekend as the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) marks the Dam Busters raid.

The Lancaster bomber, which took centre stage in the famous mission, will be appearing at various locations around the UK.

Operation Chastise took place on the night of 16 to 17 May 1943, and was conducted by 617 Squadron of RAF Bomber Command, later dubbed the “Dam Busters” – the name of the celebrated 1955 film about the raid.

The squadron of 19 Lancaster bombers used special “bouncing bombs” developed by Barnes Wallis to destroy two key dams in Germany’s Ruhr valley, causing major flooding.

There are just two airworthy Lancasters still in existence, so this weekend’s BBMF flyovers represent a rare opportunity to witness one of the Second World War’s most famous aircraft in full flight.

Last weekend marked the anniversary of VE Day in 1945, with BBMF flypasts taking place throughout the afternoon, covering various locations in the Midlands and south of England.

Below is the BBMF flypast schedule for this weekend, weather permitting, with the confirmed Lancaster bomber flyover locations (as per the Military Airshows website) marked in bold:

When is the next BBMF flypast?

The BBMF operates six Supermarine Spitfires, two Hawker Hurricanes and a Douglas C47 Dakota transport aircraft.

Since 1957, its mission is to commemorate those who have fallen in the service of Britain in conflict, while maintaining its historic squadron of aircraft – its next flypast is scheduled for Friday 20 May:

The arrival of summer in June marks the start of the Red Arrows display season, which you can find details of here.