Amazing Royal Air Force RAF.
While the British were not the first to make use of heavier-than-air military aircraft, the RAF is the world's oldest independent air force; first air force to become independent of army or naval control. The RAF was founded on 1 April 1918 (during World War I) by the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), as recommended in a report prepared by Jan Smuts. At that time it was the largest air force in the world. Its headquarters was located in the former Hotel Cecil.
The Royal Air Force underwent rapid expansion prior to and during the Second World War. Under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan of December 1939, the air forces of British Commonwealth countries trained and formed "Article XV squadrons" for service with RAF formations. Many individual personnel from these countries, and exiles from occupied Europe, also served with RAF squadrons. By the end of the war the Royal Canadian Air Force had contributed more than 30 squadrons to serve in RAF formations, similarly, approximately a quarter of Bomber Command's personnel were Canadian. Additionally, the Royal Australian Air Force represented around nine per cent of all RAF personnel who served in the European and Mediterranean theatres. During the Battle of Britain in 1940, the RAF defended the skies over Britain against the numerically superior German Luftwaffe. In what is perhaps the most prolonged and complicated air campaign in history, the Battle of Britain contributed significantly to the delay and subsequent indefinite postponement of Operation Sea Lion, Hitler's plans for an invasion of the UK. In the House of Commons on 20 August, prompted by the ongoing efforts of the RAF, Prime Minister Winston Churchill made a speech to the nation, where he said "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"
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Founded | 1 April 1918; 106 years ago |
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Country | ![]() |
Type | Air and space force |
Role | Aerial and space warfare |
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Part of |
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Air Staff Offices | Whitehall, London |
Motto(s) | "Per Ardua ad Astra" (Latin)(Through Adversity to the Stars) |
Colours | Red, white, blue |
March | Quick: "Royal Air Force March Past" Slow: "Saeculum" |
Anniversaries | 1 April |
Engagements | See list |
Website | www![]() |
Commanders | |
Commander-in-Chief |
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Secretary of State for Defence |
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Chief of the Air Staff |
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Insignia | |
Roundel | ![]() ![]() |
Fin flash | ![]() |
Ensign | ![]() |
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As Of November 2022, The Martinair Fleet Consists Of The Following Aircraft:
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The Royal Air Force underwent rapid expansion prior to and during the Second World War. Under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan of December 1939, the air forces of British Commonwealth countries trained and formed "Article XV squadrons" for service with RAF formations. Many individual personnel from these countries, and exiles from occupied Europe, also served with RAF squadrons. By the end of the war the Royal Canadian Air Force had contributed more than 30 squadrons to serve in RAF formations, similarly, approximately a quarter of Bomber Command's personnel were Canadian.Additionally, the Royal Australian Air Force represented around nine per cent of all RAF personnel who served in the European and Mediterranean theatres. During the Battle of Britain in 1940, the RAF defended the skies over Britain against the numerically superior German Luftwaffe. In what is perhaps the most prolonged and complicated air campaign in history, the Battle of Britain contributed significantly to the delay and subsequent indefinite postponement of Operation Sea Lion, Hitler's plans for an invasion of the UK. In the House of Commons on 20 August, prompted by the ongoing efforts of the RAF, Prime Minister Winston Churchill made a speech to the nation, where he said "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"..
Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories.
Beechcraft B-200 King Air is a turboprop aircraft used both for commercial and military purposes.
Gloster Gladiator is a British biplane fighter. It was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the (FAA)
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Lancaster B.I PA474 of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in 460 Squadron (RAAF) colours | |
Role | Heavy bomber |
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National origin | United Kingdom |
Manufacturer | Avro |
Designer | Roy Chadwick |
Built by | National Steel Car / Victory Aircraft (Canada) |
First flight | 9 January 1941 |
Introduction | February 1942 |
Retired | April 1, 1964 Royal Canadian Air Force |
Primary users | Royal Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Australian Air Force |
Number built | 7,377 |
Developed from | Avro Manchester |
Variants | Avro Lancastrian |
Developed into | Avro York Avro Lincoln |