Fly through 100 years of Aviation History

100 years of Aviation history

Fly through 100 years of Aviation history to discover the details of the RAF's vital role in World War II, its contribution during the Cold War and its ongoing dedication to defending the UK and more recently providing life saving aid in the aftermath of natural disasters at sea. You will find that most of the RAF aircraft and personnel are based in the UK with many others serving on operations overseas (mainly over Iraq and now Syria) or at long established overseas bases in the Ascension Islands, Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, as well as Dkekelia,a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands. 

The RAF maintains an operational fleet of various types of aircraft,largely fixed wing, including fighter and strike aircraft,early warning and control aircraft,strategic and tactical transport aircraft. For air displays it has the Red Arrows.

History of RAF

"The first air force of the world,independent of the army or navy control came in operation on 1 April 1918. This was the birth of the RAF, when at the end of World War I ,the pilots of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Navy Air Service were merged into a new organisation. King George V issued a proclamation in the London Gazette on 15 March 1917, giving the new service the more familiar name, Royal Air Force." 

In Commemoration of 100 years service

It is arguably the most important military anniversary to be celebrated in British history in 100 years. It celebrates its centenary as one of the pillars of the armed forces not only in Britain, but has become the blueprint for air forces across the world.

                                                        
In commemoration of RAF Centenary, Royal Mail issued 6 existing RAF aircraft stamps, the Lightning F6, Hurricane MK1, Vulcan B2, Typhoon FGR 4, Sopwith Camel F1 and Nimrod MR2, besides 4 stamps in flight of the "Red Arrows".
Regrettably, none of the stamps had inscription of the word:"Centenary."  
The Royal Mint also issued Coins with the 
images of the various types of aircraft in use.

Mission of RAF
Its mission is to support the MOD, which includes to provide the capabilities needed to ensure , the security and defence of the UK and overseas territories, whether at war or in peace time, including terrorism,promoting peace and security. 

The latest combat mission                      

                                         

The latest combat mission was when RAF Tornado aircraft from Cyprus took off in the early hours of 14 April 2018 reaching speeds of up to 800 Km/h with payload under their wings in a sophisticated satellite positioning cruise missiles and successfully completed their mission aimed at a target 15 miles west of the Syrian city of Homs, where it was said to house chemical weapons used to attack civilians including children in Douma nearby. All combat aircraft returned safe to base.

Victor Cherubim