Cranfield Aerospace Ltd (CAe) are proud to be supporting the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF).  Over the years this has involved work on all of the Flight’s aircraft types, and has drawn on CAe’s expertise in design, analysis, maintenance and manufacture.

Our latest project sees CAe continuing this involvement, providing a solution to a difficult in-service issue.

Earlier in the year Cranfield Aerospace were tasked to examine the design of the Spitfire undercarriage locking mechanism, to ensure the continued reliability of these important aircraft’s.

The work involved a detailed study into the components used, operation of the mechanism and loads produced by a range of landing conditions.

The study produced a series of recommendations on component tolerancing, improved inspections and replacement policy.

The recommendations were accepted by BBMF and are now part of the ongoing work to keep these historic and important aircraft flying.