Thousands of Royal fans were treated to an RAF fly past at the end of today’s Trooping of the Colour ceremony which involved 34 different aircraft.
Unfortunately, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s fleet of Hurricanes, Spitfires and Lancaster bombers were grounded following last month’s fatal crash outside RAF Conningsy in Lincolnshire.
The RAF fleet was represented by three helicopters as well as ten fighter aircraft and a host of transport or logistics air frames.
The six-and-a-half minute flypast began with three Chinook Helicopters flying together in close proximity.
In a highly-choreographed display, the aircraft took off from RAF bases from across the United Kingdom before flying down the length of The Mall and over the balcony at Buckingham Palace.
Each of the 10 waves had to arrive at the exact point at the correct altitude and time for its allotted time in the display.
In a highly-choreographed display, the aircraft took off from RAF bases from across the United Kingdom before flying down the length of The Mall and over the balcony at Buckingham Palace
In a highly-choreographed display, the aircraft took off from RAF bases from across the United Kingdom before flying down the length of The Mall and over the balcony at Buckingham Palace
Luckily the skies were clear as the 10 formations took turns to fly down the Mall
The RAF Red Arrows finished off today’s flypast to celebrate Trooping of the Colour
There were fears that the display may have been cancelled because of heavy rain showers in the morning
The first three aircraft were Chinooks based at RAF Odiham from 7 Squadron. The large helicopters, which can carry up to 55 troops and ten tonnes of cargo have a distinctive twin rotor set up which produces its legendary ‘Womp Womp’ sound as it approaches.
The Chinooks are an RAF workhorse specialising in troop deployment, resupply and casualty evacuation.
The three aircraft recently returned from the NATO exercise Stedfeast Defender – the military pact’s largest deployment since the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The second wave of aircraft were from 29 Squadron based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.
The three RAF Typhoons replaced the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which has been grounded since the tragic death of Squadron Leader Mark Long on May 25.
Squadron Leader Long died shortly after taking off when his Spitfire crashed near the aerodrome’s perimeter. An investigation has been launched into events leading up to his tragic death. Pending the results of the investigation the RAF has decided to stand down the BBMF.
The pilots flying in today’s display, led by Squadron Leader Andy Milikin – a former commanding officer of the BBMF – were personal friends of the late airman.
William and Kate along with their three children were on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to witness the historic event
The nine-ship formation of the Red Arrows completed today’s spectacular display
Thousands of people gazed up during the six-and-a-half minute display
The third wave of aircraft included an RAF Phenom T1 flown by Squadron Leader Chris Nash and Flight Lieutenant Elliot Lancaster. The twin-engine jet is used to train pilots to use multi-engine aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster and Atlas A400M.
The Phenom was accompanied by a pair of Texan T1s based at RAF Valley in Anglesey, north Wales. The Texan is the primary trainer for the next generation of fast jet pilots.
The aircraft were flown by Squadron Leader James Bagnall from 72 (Fighter) Squadron with Flight Lieutenant Ross Lucie-Smith. The second aircraft was commanded by Flight Lieutenant Jonny Dowen and Lieutenant Chris Morris of the Royal Navy.
Behind them was the C-17 Globemaster from RAF Brize Norton. The four-engined jet aircraft is a long range strategic heavy-lift aircraft flown by Flight Lieutenant Kristian Pickworth and his first officer Flight Lieutenant Mike Chandler.
The Globemaster is capable of flying above 30,000ft to deliver 45 tonnes of freight to destinations more than 4,500 nautical miles away.
The fifth wave of aircraft included an RAF Voyager and an A400m Atlas, also based at Brize Norton.
The Voyager is a modified Airbus A330-200 which serves as the RAF’s refuelling aircraft while also having the ability to carry 291 passengers and cargo. It was flown by Flight Lieutenant Craig Patterson and Flight Lieutenant James Conolly, with Mission Systems Operator Sgt Sam Chaloner.
The Atlas can carry a 30-tonne payload 2,400 nautical miles and can operate in and out of established and unprepared landing strips. It can carry a mixture of cargo and passengers or battlefield casualties.
They were followed by A Poseidon MRA1 and a pair of Typhoons.
The Poseidon is the RAF’s maritime patrol aircraft and can be used to hunt down and track Russian submarines or search and rescue operations.
It has a vast array of sensors and can be equipped with torpedoes to destroy enemy submarines.
It is based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. The Typhoons are based at Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby and are part of Britain’s Quick Reaction Alert – to track down and intercept suspicious aircraft approaching British territory.
The Red Arrows, pictured have flown at an estimated 5,000 displays since they were founded in 1965. They have visited a total of 57 different countries and will head to Canada later this summer to celebrate the centenary of the Royal Canadian Air Force
The entire flypast was co-ordinated by by Wing Commander Andy Shaw who was in the rear of the Poseidon, ensuring each of the aircraft reached the Mall at the correct time.
He said: ‘It is an honour to be involved in delivering an airborne spectacle worthy of His Majesty the King’s Birthday. I am grateful to have had the chance to work with so many outstanding aviators to make today safe and fit for the King.’
One of the Typhoons in this wave was flown by a Qatari pilot who is training with the RAF while the other was commanded by Squadron Leader Joe Murphy.
A further two Typhoons accompanied the RC135W Rivet Joint which is based at RAF Waddington.
According to the RAF: ‘The RC-135W Rivet Joint is a dedicated electronic surveillance aircraft that can be employed in all theatres on strategic and tactical missions. Its sensors ‘soak up’ electronic emissions from communications, radar and other systems.’
The eighth wave involved three Hawk T2 jets based at RAF Valley in Anglesey. The Hawk is used to train the next generation of fast jet pilots.
The formation was led by Flight Lieutenant James Spratt of 25 (Fighter Squadron). He was followed by Squadron Leader Nicholas ‘Jewsburger’ Jewsbury and Major Glenn Scott of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The ninth wave involved four F-35B Lightnings from RAF Marham. The next generation stealth aircraft form part of the 617 Squadron – the RAF Dambusters.
The formation was led by Wing Commander Stew Campbell, officer commanding of 617 Squadron. The 21-year RAF Veteran previously flew with the Red Arrows between 2014 and 2016.
The display ended with a nine-ship formation by the Red Arrows who trailed Red, White and Blue smoke as they powered down the Mall.
Since 1965 the Red Arrows have completed almost 5,000 displays and is led this season by Squadron Leader Jon Bond – a former front line Typhoon pilot.
This year the Red Arrows are due to fly 60 displays, including a tour of Canada.