AIRCRAFT from RAF Coningsby will take place in a flypast today, Friday, to mark 65 years since the Dambusters raid.
A Lancaster, a Hurricane, a Spitfire and a Dakota for the base will perform the flypast over Derwent Reservoir in Derbyshire – where 65 years ago the RAF's 617 Squadron practiced dropping bouncing bombs in preparation for the raid on Germany's Ruhr valley.
They will be joined by the Tornadoes of 617 Squadron now based at RAF Lossiemouth.
A service will be held on top of the Derwent dam on Friday to remember the 53 crew and eight aircraft that were lost.
617 Squadron was formed at RAF Scampton, near Lincoln, on March 21 1943.
It moved temporarily to RAF Coningsby in August 1943 and then to Woodhall Spa from January 1944.
The first Lancaster took off from Scampton shortly before 9.30 pm on May 16, 1943, for the dam busting raid known as Operation Chastise.
Wing Commander Guy Gibson's aircraft, the first to attack the Möhne Dam, released its mine at 12.28am.
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