Royal Air Force (RAF)
UK welcomes delivery of additional F-35B Lightning IIs
The UK has taken delivery of an additional two Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning IIs, growing the number of examples of the fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter delivered to date to 32 aircraft
The Hercules in RAF service: the final 25 years
Following this month’s retirement of the RAF’s Hercules fleet, Mick Britton concludes his two-part retelling of the type’s illustrious 56-year career
The Hercules in RAF service: the first 25 years
The Royal Air Force has now ended its 56-year association with the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. Mick Britton details the first quarter century of the type’s illustrious RAF career in the first of two parts
Building 27: Keeping history alive
Among the RAF’s most prized possessions, Building 27 at Northolt isthe subject of a mammoth restoration. FlyPast’s Jamie Ewan caught up with Phil Dawe MBE, the ambitious project’s driving force
RAF C-130J Hercules farewell tour + watch final Mach Loop pass
Three RAF C-130Js performed a tour of the UK on June 14, flying over locations that have been significant to the Hercules in RAF service
How the RAF's first front-line Lightning pilots joined the 'thousand-mile an hour club'
Remembering the early days with the legendary English Electric fighter
Inside the final days of 47 Sqn as RAF C-130J retirement looms
The RAF is in the process of bidding a fond farewell to two very iconic components of its airlift organisation this June: No 47 Squadron – which was formally deactivated on June 8 – and the Hercules C4/C5 fleet. Khalem Chapman visited RAF Brize Norton in late May to find out how the drawdown efforts are going and how the C-130J will be missed by those closest to it
Luck or judgment? How RAF Mosquitos hit the Gestapo in Aarhus
The Aarhus raid by No 140 Wing’s Mosquitos — targeting Gestapo facilities in the Danish city — was a notable strategic success and a fine feat of airmanship. But its achievements owed something to good fortune as well
The Dambusters Today
Based at RAF Marham in Norfolk, 617 Squadron will remain as the UK’s frontline F-35B Lightning unit until 809 Naval Air Squadron stands up later this year. Officer Commanding 617 Sqn, Wing Commander Stew Campbell has a unique perspective on the 80th anniversary year, having been involved in the 70th anniversary commemorations in 2013.
Dambusters in depth: The history of 617 Squadron
To mark the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters famous raid, in the May 2013 issue of FlyPast, Andrew Thomas examined the heritage of 617 Squadron – arguably the most famous RAF unit of them all