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Royal Airforce Collection

The Royal Air Force (RAF) has a rich history filled with remarkable moments and iconic aircraft

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: A Typhoon makes a pancake landing, on the edge of a rock strewn shore near Torquay in

A Typhoon makes a pancake landing, on the edge of a rock strewn shore near Torquay in Devon. There were slight injuries to the pilot but no more

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: Poster for Empire Air Day, 1934

Poster for Empire Air Day, 1934
Shows aerodromes in England, Wales, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland, all of which were open for Empire Air Day. Admission one shilling for adults, sixpence for children

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: Picture shows The Sunderland. A new type of sea plane for the RAF

Picture shows The Sunderland. A new type of sea plane for the RAF. Pictured is a biplane, but it is related to the 2 winged plane

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: Queen Alexandra at the Royal Aircraft Factory, Farnborough, July 3rd, 1915, where

Queen Alexandra at the Royal Aircraft Factory, Farnborough, July 3rd, 1915, where she named four of the aeroplanes furnished by the Overseas Club to the Royal Flying Corps. July 3rd, 1915

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: A Hawker Hart of No. 23 Squadron RAF flying over the Medway area in Kent

A Hawker Hart of No. 23 Squadron RAF flying over the Medway area in Kent. 1939

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: Bomber Command planning a large scale R. A. F. operation. Picture taken circa 17th November

Bomber Command planning a large scale R. A. F. operation. Picture taken circa 17th November
Bomber Command planning a large scale R.A.F. operation. Picture taken circa 17th November 1943

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: R. A. F. armourers working with 12, 000 lb bombs. Lancaster Bombers have been

R. A. F. armourers working with 12, 000 lb bombs. Lancaster Bombers have been
R.A.F. armourers working with 12, 000 lb bombs. Lancaster Bombers have been using these bombs with great success. Picture taken 14th October 1944

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: Picture shows a side view of a Hawker Typhoon in flight

Picture shows a side view of a Hawker Typhoon in flight. The worlds fastest fighter plane in April 1943. Google images suggests this plane could be ()

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: Hawker Typhoon fighters are now being built in impressive numbers at one of the Gloster

Hawker Typhoon fighters are now being built in impressive numbers at one of the Gloster Aircraft Company factories in the West of England

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: Bombing the Turks at the Dardanelles, illustration from Flying Memories by John Hamilton

Bombing the Turks at the Dardanelles, illustration from Flying Memories by John Hamilton, 1934 (litho)
STC400404 Bombing the Turks at the Dardanelles, illustration from Flying Memories by John Hamilton, 1934 (litho) by Bradshaw, Stanley Orton (1903-1950); Private Collection; (add.info.: Commander C)

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Blackburn 'Ripon'(b / w photo)

The Blackburn "Ripon"(b / w photo)
3634231 The Blackburn " Ripon" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Blackburn " Ripon")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Supermarine 'S. 6'(b / w photo)

The Supermarine "S. 6"(b / w photo)
3634229 The Supermarine " S.6" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Supermarine " S.6")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Fairy 'III. F'(b / w photo)

The Fairy "III. F"(b / w photo)
3634222 The Fairy " III.F" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Fairy " III.F")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Bristol 'Fighter'(b / w photo)

The Bristol "Fighter"(b / w photo)
3634218 The Bristol " Fighter" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Bristol " Fighter")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Fairey 'Flycatcher'(b / w photo)

The Fairey "Flycatcher"(b / w photo)
3634217 The Fairey " Flycatcher" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Fairey " Flycatcher")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Wings of Victory (engraving)

The Wings of Victory (engraving)
6034569 The Wings of Victory (engraving) by Partridge, Bernard (1861-1945) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Wings of Victory)

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: Captain Hawkers aerial battle with three German aeroplanes, July 25th 1915

Captain Hawkers aerial battle with three German aeroplanes, July 25th 1915
STC373352 Captain Hawkers aerial battle with three German aeroplanes, July 25th 1915, illustration from The History of the Nation (litho) by Avis, W

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Vickers 'Victoria'(b / w photo)

The Vickers "Victoria"(b / w photo)
3634236 The Vickers " Victoria" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Vickers " Victoria")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The 'Hyderabad'(b / w photo)

The "Hyderabad"(b / w photo)
3634235 The " Hyderabad" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The " Hyderabad")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Blackburn 'Blackburn'(b / w photo)

The Blackburn "Blackburn"(b / w photo)
3634234 The Blackburn " Blackburn" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Blackburn " Blackburn")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Blackburn 'Dart'(b / w photo)

The Blackburn "Dart"(b / w photo)
3634232 The Blackburn " Dart" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Blackburn " Dart")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Hawker 'Horsley'(b / w photo)

The Hawker "Horsley"(b / w photo)
3634224 The Hawker " Horsley" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Hawker " Horsley")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Westland 'Wapiti'(b / w photo)

The Westland "Wapiti"(b / w photo)
3634221 The Westland " Wapiti" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Westland " Wapiti")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Armstrong-Whitworth 'Atlas'(b / w photo)

The Armstrong-Whitworth "Atlas"(b / w photo)
3634219 The Armstrong-Whitworth " Atlas" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Armstrong-Whitworth " Atlas")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Hawker 'Tom-Tit'(b / w photo)

The Hawker "Tom-Tit"(b / w photo)
3634228 The Hawker " Tom-Tit" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Hawker " Tom-Tit")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Bristol 'Bulldog'(b / w photo)

The Bristol "Bulldog"(b / w photo)
3634215 The Bristol " Bulldog" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Bristol " Bulldog")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Supermarine 'Southampton'(b / w photo)

The Supermarine "Southampton"(b / w photo)
3634233 The Supermarine " Southampton" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Supermarine " Southampton")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Boulton and Paul 'Sidestrand'(b / w photo)

The Boulton and Paul "Sidestrand"(b / w photo)
3634225 The Boulton and Paul " Sidestrand" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Boulton and Paul " Sidestrand")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The De Havilland '9a'(b / w photo)

The De Havilland "9a"(b / w photo)
3634220 The De Havilland " 9a" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The De Havilland " 9a")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Armstrong-Whitworth 'Siskin'(b / w photo)

The Armstrong-Whitworth "Siskin"(b / w photo)
3634216 The Armstrong-Whitworth " Siskin" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Armstrong-Whitworth " Siskin")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Fairey 'III. D'(b / w photo)

The Fairey "III. D"(b / w photo)
3634230 The Fairey " III.D" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Fairey " III.D")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Fairey 'Fox'(b / w photo)

The Fairey "Fox"(b / w photo)
3634223 The Fairey " Fox" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Fairey " Fox")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Fairey 'Postal'(b / w photo)

The Fairey "Postal"(b / w photo)
3634227 The Fairey " Postal" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Fairey " Postal")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: Captain Hawkers aerial battle with three German aeroplanes, July 25th 1915

Captain Hawkers aerial battle with three German aeroplanes, July 25th 1915
STC306678 Captain Hawkers aerial battle with three German aeroplanes, July 25th 1915, illustration from The History of the Nation (litho) by Avis, W

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Hawker 'Hart'(b / w photo)

The Hawker "Hart"(b / w photo)
3634226 The Hawker " Hart" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Hawker " Hart")

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: Equivalent ranks in the three services (colour litho)

Equivalent ranks in the three services (colour litho)
5999282 Equivalent ranks in the three services (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Equivalent ranks in the three services)

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: Picture shows John Hobbs (Royal Airforce officer) instructing Ghita Moss

Picture shows John Hobbs (Royal Airforce officer) instructing Ghita Moss (ballerina in black - centre) and members of the drama school that has been set up under the Educational

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: Picture shows 18 years old grocers assistant, Sidney Wallbutten from Cornwall

Picture shows 18 years old grocers assistant, Sidney Wallbutten from Cornwall, strapped to the cockpit of a glider, ready to take off

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: R. A. F. Officers explain to the Russian officers of the Russian Military Delegation on a

R. A. F. Officers explain to the Russian officers of the Russian Military Delegation on a
R.A.F. Officers explain to the Russian officers of the Russian Military Delegation on a visit to a RAF Bomber Command airfield the details of the bomb racks of a Stirling aircraft

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: Crew and staff involved in the operations of an RAF Sterling Bomber

Crew and staff involved in the operations of an RAF Sterling Bomber. The Short Stirling was a British four-engined heavy bomber of the Second World War

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: RAF Airmen relax on the island of Diego Garcia, Indian Choral Island, The Indian Ocean

RAF Airmen relax on the island of Diego Garcia, Indian Choral Island, The Indian Ocean. This picture was taken only about 24 hours before the official end of World War Two

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: R. A. F. Lancaster crew after a raid on Berlin over the course of 22nd and 23rd March 1944

R. A. F. Lancaster crew after a raid on Berlin over the course of 22nd and 23rd March 1944
R.A.F. Lancaster crew after a raid on Berlin over the course of 22nd and 23rd March 1944. 2, 500 tons of bombs were dropped. Picture taken circa 24th March 1944

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: Royal Airforce Flying Officer Alan Preston with his partner Agnes Brown

Royal Airforce Flying Officer Alan Preston with his partner Agnes Brown. The couple are engaged to be married. Picture taken circa 1st May 1942

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: Royal Airforce Flying Officer Alan Preston with his partner Agnes Brown

Royal Airforce Flying Officer Alan Preston with his partner Agnes Brown. The couple are engaged to be married. Location unknown. Picture taken circa 1st May 1942

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: R. A. F. Flying Training Command train Army glider pilots who take their places in Airborne

R. A. F. Flying Training Command train Army glider pilots who take their places in Airborne
R.A.F. Flying Training Command train Army glider pilots who take their places in Airborne Divisions. Army pilots in the making at a Glider Training School. A glider pupil pilot

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: The Librerator Bomber, known as Liberator D, for Donald Duck

The Librerator Bomber, known as Liberator D, for Donald Duck. Picture shows the cartoon Donald Duck on the side of the plane. Picture taken circa 18th January 1942

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: A Whirlwind bomber in flight. United Kingdom. The Westland Whirlwind was a

A Whirlwind bomber in flight. United Kingdom. The Westland Whirlwind was a British twin-engined heavy fighter[citation needed] developed by Westland Aircraft

Background imageRoyal Airforce Collection: Pilots return to their base somewhere in England, after a nine hour reconnaissance

Pilots return to their base somewhere in England, after a nine hour reconnaissance mission leaflet raid flight over enemy territory of Germany and Austria



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The Royal Air Force (RAF) has a rich history filled with remarkable moments and iconic aircraft. From the daring pancake landing of a Typhoon on the rocky shores near Torquay to the thrilling Empire Air Day poster in 1934, their legacy is etched in aviation history. One image captures Queen Alexandra's visit to the Royal Aircraft Factory in Farnborough back in July 1915. Her presence symbolizes the royal support for this burgeoning force that would soon become an integral part of national defense. In another photograph, a Hawker Hart from No. 23 Squadron soars over Kent's Medway area, showcasing RAF's prowess and dominance in the skies. These skilled pilots exemplify bravery and precision as they protect our nation. Bomber Command strategizes meticulously for large-scale operations, as seen in an intriguing snapshot taken around November 17th. The planning room buzzes with anticipation as they prepare to execute missions crucial to victory. Behind-the-scenes glimpses reveal R. A. F armourers diligently working with colossal 12, 000 lb bombs destined for Lancaster Bombers. Their expertise ensures these formidable machines can deliver devastating blows against enemy targets. The Hawker Typhoon takes center stage once again; its sleek silhouette captured mid-flight evokes awe and admiration. Impressive numbers of these fighters are being produced at Gloster factories, testament to British engineering excellence during challenging times. A vintage illustration from Flying Memories by John Hamilton depicts R. A. F forces bombing Turkish positions at Dardanelles during World War I—an act of courage that shaped world events forever. Amongst all these incredible aircraft stands out two legendary names: Blackburn "Ripon" and Supermarine "S. 6. " These black-and-white photographs transport us back to their era when innovation pushed boundaries and set new standards for aerial superiority. The Royal Air Force continues its legacy today as one of the most respected air forces worldwide—a testament to the bravery, skill, and dedication of its personnel.