50 Years On - RAF Britannia Association visit RAF Lyneham
19th March 2009
Royal Air Force Lyneham
www.raf.mod.uk/raflyneham
EIGHTY members of the RAF Britannia Association visited RAF Lyneham on 19th March 2009.  The visitors received a presentation about the current role of RAF Lyneham personnel and assets at home and on operations overseas before lunch. 

Squadron Leader (Retired) David Berry is the longest standing member of the Committee and has written 2 books about the Britannia aircraft – ‘The History of the Britannia’ and ‘The RAF Britannia and its People’.  He said: “Not only did the Britannia look good, it created such a great feeling of comradeship.”

“There was a different crew for every flight, so every time you flew, you made new friends.  As a result, those who worked together on the Britannia remain a very happy, large group of friends.  The fact that 80 of us are together at Lyneham today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Britannia arriving at Lyneham is wonderful.”

“We are very proud of the fact that the aircraft is British-built.  We flew  a lot in the Middle East and Far East and we also spent time in the USA.  It was really easy to recognise the aircraft and it could be seen from miles away because of its tall tail.”

He continued: “The Britannia was a very complex aircraft to fly.  Unlike the modern jets, the Britannia required a lot of maintenance and we had a great number of excellent ground crew to support us.”

When asked if the Britannia was overshadowed by the Comet which also operated out of RAF Lyneham, he stated: “No, it was not overshadowed.  The Comet was a passenger carrier whereas the Britannia could carry passengers and freight, much like the Hercules.  However, the design of the Hercules has many benefits over the Britannia.  We sometimes had to use ladders to get people into the aircraft since the door was 11 feet from the ground!”

The current Chairman of the RAF Britannia Association, Reverend Ian Partridge, was delighted to bring so many Association members to Lyneham on such an important anniversary.

“All Association members served as aircrew or ground crew on the Britannia.  We will have all served at RAF Lyneham or RAF Brize Norton, or both during our careers.  The arrival of the first Britannia to RAF Lyneham 50 years ago marked a new phase in Lyneham’s history.” 

The Britannia Fleet grew to 23 aircraft and they operated out of RAF Lyneham until 1 Jun 1970 when they transferred to Brize Norton before being taken out of service in 1975. 

The Chairman continued: “The Britannia definitely ended its life too soon due to defence cuts.  The frames were sole to civil aircraft operators and the last one, which is now undergoing regeneration work at Kemble, flew until 11 years ago.”
The Britannia Association exists for the benefit of members and ex-members of the Royal Air Force and Women's Royal Air Force whose service was associated with the Bristol Britannia.  A reunion is held once a year and members receive a free magazine once per year.  

If you would like Association membership details please write to Keyham Books, Startley, Chippenham SN15 5HG or visit the RAF Britannia Association website at www.rafbrit.org.uk

There has been a reorganisation of the care and renovation of XM496. The aircraft now belongs to a newly formed group, The Bristol Britannia XM496 Preservation Society. It is this small but enthusiastic team that have given the aircraft its excellent repaint. Check out their website at www.xm496.com.