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Dambusters on display at BBMF
Visitors to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight now have an extra attraction to view.
A temporary display - featuring the famous 617 squadron - is now featured at the BBMF’s base at RAF Coningsby.
The squadron is particularly famous for ‘ The Dambusters’ raid during the Second World War - and an attack on the German battleship Tirpitz.
Exhibits include wartime memorabilia from the family of Flt Lt. John Pryor and also Warrant Officer Colin Cole, who lives in the Coningsby area.
Both flew on the attacks to sink the Tripitz in 1944.
In fact, the original ‘Thumer 3 Lancaster’ - whose colours the BBMF Lancaster P474 now display - also took part in the operations.
The display has been put together by Clare Bennett, who is secretary of the Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre which is situated between Coningsby and Woodhall Spa.
The centre has a permanent display of the four squadrons which flew from RAF Woodhall, including 627.
There are also displays of Lincolnshire life during the Second World War.
Thorpe Camp is also proud to have Sqn Ldr Duncan Mason, commanding officer at the BBMF, as its president.
Apart from her duties at Thorpe Camp, Clare is also a committee member of the ‘Bomber Command Friends of Dronten’ twinning group.
Several Lancasters which crashed during the Second World War were discovered when the Dutch reclaimed land in the Ljsselmeer area.
The nearby town of Dronten is now twinned with the whole of Lincolnshire in a unique agreement.
The twinning group hopes to welcome a number of Dutch friends to the 617 squadron’s 70th anniversary commemorations in May.
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Weather for Horncastle
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North
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Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
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