<P> The Lancaster bomber - PA474, acquired by the BBMF in 1973, is one of only two surviving airworthy examples of the type; the other is in Canada . She was built in mid-1945 and assigned to reconnaissance duties after appearing too late to take part in the bombing of Japan . After various duties, she was adopted by the Air Historical Branch for display work . She appeared in two films: Operation Crossbow and The Guns of Navarone . Having been flown for much of her service with the BBMF as the "City of Lincoln", PA474 previously wore the markings of the "Phantom of the Ruhr", a Lancaster that flew 121 sorties (a so - called "ton - up" Lancaster). Originally assigned to 100 Squadron in June 1943, the original "Phantom" was transferred to 101 Squadron in November that year and finished the war as part of 550 Squadron at Ludford Magna . The Lancaster currently carries the markings of' Thumper' for the 2014 display season, an aircraft which served with No 617 Squadron after the Dams Raid . Some of the specially - modified Lancasters, which survived the Dams Raid, remained in service with the squadron afterwards . However, these aircraft were not suitable for all operations and they were replaced with standard Lancasters, one example being B Mk1 DV385 . PA474 displays the markings of bombs for operations over Germany, ice - cream cones for operations over Italy and poppies when she releases poppies during exhibition flights . During the 2008 RAF Waddington Air Day, PA474 was flown in formation with the recently restored Avro Vulcan XH558 in a historic display of two Avro "heavy metal" classics . </P> <P> The Dakota, ZA947, built at Long Beach, California in March 1942, was issued to the US Army Air Forces and later transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force where she served until 1971 . The aircraft was purchased by the Royal Aircraft Establishment before being issued to the BBMF in March 1993 . She is equipped with authentic period' para seats' and is used in commemorative parachute drops . </P> <P> The Dakota did serve solely as a support aircraft for the flight and as a multi-engine tail - wheel trainer for the Lancaster; but recently she has also acted as a display aircraft in her own right . ZA947 is becoming increasingly popular with the public and 2013 saw the aircraft making many appearances . </P> <P> The two Chipmunks (WG486 and WK518), are the last in RAF service, but are not intended for display use; rather, they serve to give pilots experience in flying aircraft with a tailwheel landing gear, a design that has now vanished from the modern RAF fleet . Chipmunk WG486 flew reconnaissance missions over East Germany, as part of the RAF Gatow Station Flight, in co-operation with the British Commander - in - Chief's Mission to the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany, commonly known as BRIXMIS . </P>

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