the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight planes, five Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Lancaster, a Dakota and two Chipmunk aircraft, are kept airworthy for displays and commemorative events using tech manuals dating back to 1945, which assumed levels of knowledge and experience that were no longer taught.

The aircraft are flown by regular and reserve RAF aircrew between May and October, and about 40 engineers and technicians at Coningsby help keep them operational.

Taylor said engineers had to refurbish original components or work with specialist manufacturers to produce new ones – a process that can take months.

"We've had to have wheels made for a Lancaster because they don't exist anymore," he said.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5zjzg7mzzvdo