Defence cuts could ground the Battle of Britain flight

[he_who_dares_rodney]

From the Daily Mail

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight faces the axe as the Ministry of Defence attempts to close a £6billion hole in its finances.
Senior RAF sources have warned that the flight could be cut on 'cost grounds' as the MoD is forced to make drastic savings in the next defence review.

An RAF Wing Commander said: 'Under the defence review now being conducted, the display teams could be cut. This is part of a cost benefit analysis going on in all MoD departments

'If the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was to continue to operate as it currently does, it is feared it would need to attract private finance.'

The MoD has admitted that nothing has been ruled out of spending cuts for the financial year of 2011-12.

One source said there could be 'no sacred cows' in the spending reviews - suggesting that other much-loved displays such as the Red Arrows could also be at risk.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ound-Battle-Britain-flight.html#ixzz0cdDHDnV3

 

[Rich_P]

I think grounding either or both would seriously harm the recruitment image for the RAF. After all, both cases certainly catch the interest of young individuals don't they?

 

[flintwich]

Even the Nazis couldn't manage that.

 

[Rigga]

...and who might be next?
What small unit of little red areoplanes might not be cheap enough to be ignored? Sponsorship or not.

 

[pie sandwich]

Even the Nazis couldn't manage that.

The Labour government have managed to do stuff that the Nazi's could only dream about.

 

[R_Squared]

If true it would be an awful shame, It's always these sort of things that will lose out when money is tight. Even though, what people really need is the kind of lift and inspiration this provides.
Once they're on the deck, and the budget has been removed, that will effectively be the death nell for them. The money will never come back from the public purse, and like the Vulcan, I can see them having to tap up sponsorship if they want to continue.
My loathing for the Banking sector just ratcheted up one more notch.

 

[vim_fuego]

Once they are on the deck and 'endex' within a couple of months the majority of the population will be engrossed in the next season of celebrity painting on ice and won't give a stuff whats been axed...The old 'it will stunt recruitment' plea just doesn't wash...What % of the country attend what airshows that survive?? What controls the volume of recruits through the AFCO doors is directly proportional to the ineptitude of the government of the day...During the boom recently there was a stampede for the door on our behalf and recruitment was at a trickle with bountys being paid if you could drag someone in...fast forward to last 18 months (bust) and the stampede has changed direction. None of this sadly is down to seeing a Lancaster et al flying over your head...

 

[FOMz]

It would be interesting to find out - who costs more?

The Sparrows or the BBMF?

DT_Xtremez_42:

 

[Digzster]

I wouldn't be surprised if "their airships" chop the BBMF. Personally though it's a crying shame. I do have to admit though that I rush out of a building at the sound of a Merlin engine.

 

[Realist78]

It would be interesting to find out - who costs more?

The Sparrows or the BBMF?

DT_Xtremez_42:

I suspect it will be the Sparrows, the quote of up to £3m a year for the BBMF is at the top of estimates. From one of the guys who works there, it's nearer half that amount.

 

[Realist78]

If true it would be an awful shame, It's always these sort of things that will lose out when money is tight. Even though, what people really need is the kind of lift and inspiration this provides.
Once they're on the deck, and the budget has been removed, that will effectively be the death nell for them. The money will never come back from the public purse, and like the Vulcan, I can see them having to tap up sponsorship if they want to continue.
My loathing for the Banking sector just ratcheted up one more notch.

'If the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was to continue to operate as it currently does, it is feared it would need to attract private finance.'
The MoD has already made clear that the BBMF would not be allowed to be funded by private sponsorship or donations. Based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, it costs the RAF up to £3million a year to run.

So the MOD doesn't want it to survive then!

 

[Inevertouchedit]

Run it by me again - what's the Lottery fund for ??

 

[Mongy Muppet]

Good riddance. They don't really bring anything to the party and peeps are going to join up regardless.

 

[Mongy Muppet]

Run it by me again - what's the Lottery fund for ??

Disabled, one-eyed, black, lesbian, communist, single parents of course.

 

[Inevertouchedit]

Disabled, one-eyed, black, lesbian, communist, single parents of course.

You may laugh, but we had to "invent" some darkies in our village so we could get a Lotto grant for the Village Hall !!

 

[TrickyTree]

Good riddance. They don't really bring anything to the party and peeps are going to join up regardless.

It's just my opinion, which I'm not inclined to justify, but I think that from somebody who is serving that is a disgusting comment.

 

[Realist78]

It's just my opinion, which I'm not inclined to justify, but I think that from somebody who is serving that is a disgusting comment.

Glad I wasn't the only one thinking that.

 

[Stevienics]

Good riddance. They don't really bring anything to the party and peeps are going to join up regardless.

I sort of get where he is coming from, but in fact one might say the same of the Kings Troop RHA, or whatever the Navy funds that still floats and attracts public attention for better service visibility.

The question is, can a case be made for the retention of historic aircraft from the public purse? Ultimately, the benefit must be attributable to the public and the state, not the people who run the service.

Is there £3M worth of it ?

 

[Realist78]

Economics aside, there are some things that are almost priceless and the miniscule amount to run BBMF is barely worth mentioning especially when we are the world's 5th largest economy. Also, if a root and branch cost analysis is taking place of every aspect of the MOD, a look in the mirror from senior officers might prod them into questioning the validity of their numbers.

 

[Stevienics]

This is precisely the issue.

To some this remains a "priceless asset", worthy of retention because of its intrinsic value. The man in the street, especially the more contemporary one, may have a different perception of its value.

The BBMF, being in the publc eye, has a visibility which widens the catchment audience to this perception. The massive overload of senior officers and MoD officials is a factor fortunate enough never to receive this constant public scrutiny - and clealry they know it or things might be different.

Perception is all - and as we progress, the perceived value of the BBMF will inevitably reduce, especially where is short term political profit to had by fostering this view.