Historic aircraft to take part in VJ Day flypast

The photo shows a man smiling at the camera. He is bald, and is wearing a black jumpsuit. On the left hand side there is a union jack badge which is sewn on, and on the right is the RAF logo, reading 'Mark Sugden, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.' He's standing in front of two Spitfires, which are parked up in a hanger.

Sqn Ldr Mark Sugden, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, says the aircraft will add to a "national and global celebration"

Grace McGrory
BBC News

Pilots from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) have said they hope to be the "magical ingredient" for commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.

A Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster, operated by the RAF Coningsby-based team, will join the Red Arrows in a flypast over the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on 15 August.

The display will form part of a commemorative event hosted by the Royal British Legion.

Sqn Ldr Mark Sugden said: "We will be on the world stage, but it's something that we're used to. We need to make sure that we are representing a hugely significant day in style."

The photo shows a black Lancaster Bomber aircraft. It's stationary, and is sat on a runway. There are trees in the background.

The BBMF's Lancaster bomber will form part of the flypast

VJ Day, or Victory over Japan Day, is commemorated on 15 August each year, marking the date in 1945 when Japan surrendered to the Allied forces, ending World War Two.

Sqn Ldr Sugden added: "It's about putting our tribute to the huge sacrifice of all the men and women who served during the 1940s."

"Everybody has, however tenuous, a tie to these aeroplanes and what they represent.

"So I'm hoping we're the magical ingredient on Friday, and we're really looking forward to being there."

The photo shows a man looking at the camera. He is wearing a black jumpsuit. On the left hand side there is a union jack badge which is sewn on, and on the right is the RAF logo, reading 'Paul Wise, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.' He's outside, and is standing in front of a Lancaster Bomber.

Sqn Ldr Paul Wise points out the flypast is subject to weather conditions, but says he has his "fingers crossed"

What is VJ Day?

Sqn Ldr Paul Wise said: "It's the honour. It's what we represent. We live for events like this.

"Those freedoms that we enjoy today, they were hard fought and won by people from our local communities. So it's our way of making sure that their memory continues."

The event will also include veterans' testimonies, music performances and readings.

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