BBMF ENGINE PROBLEMS TRACED

Following the grounding of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Rolls-Royce Merlin-powered aircraft on 16 August, the RAF announced: “Our investigation has confirmed an issue with a pinion gear in a Merlin engine. With the precise cause of the problem known, each pinion gear is now being inspected to confirm it meets our exacting standards, with the BBMF and industry putting all of our efforts into getting these beautiful aircraft safely back in the air as soon as possible”. Griffon-engined Spitfire PRXIX PS915 was still able to represent the BBMF at events, though it was hoped to return a Hurricane to the air by the Scampton Airshow on 9-10 September.