Over 100 aircraft soar over London for RAF100
The monumental flypast event set out to commemorate, celebrate and inspire
The UK’S Royal Air Force was formed in 1918 when the existing Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service were combined into the world’s first independent air force. On 10 July – 100 days after its official birthday – the RAF celebrated its centenary in London with a parade along The Mall involving over 1,000 RAF servicemen and women and a flypast over Buckingham Palace with more than 100 aircraft. As part of the events the Queen also presented the RAF with a new Queen’s Colour.
The carefully choreographed flypast showcased 25 different types of helicopter and plane passing in 19 waves over Buckingham Palace at 30-second intervals. Iconic Second World War Spitfires, Hurricanes and a Lancaster bomber were joined by the force’s state-of-theart helicopters and jets, including the brandnew Lightning stealth fighters. No aerial display in the UK is complete without an appearance of crowd favourites the Red Arrows, who brought the flypast to a close in a stream of red, white and blue.
Around 70,000 people gathered in The Mall to watch the celebrations, while the royal family watched from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. In a speech at the parade the Queen said, “I remember the Battle of Britain fought over the skies above us, and we shall never forget the courage and sacrifice of that time. The Royal Air Force has won a place in the heart of our nation, and I wish all ranks, past and present, together with your families, every good fortune for your second century of service.” Thousands of spectators filled The Mall to watch the day’s events