Shropshire Star

In Pictures: RAF planes hit the heights in centenary show

Plane spotters at Duxford were shown aircraft from the past, present and future of the Royal Air Force.

Published
Last updated
The RAF Red Arrows perform during the Battle of Britain Air Show at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, Cambridgeshire

The RAF’s historic feats have been remembered during an event to mark the junior service’s centenary year.

For spectators on the ground at RAF Duxford, there was something old and new up above as planes past and present took to the sky.

Once again, Second World War aircraft such as the Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane took star billing in a year which also sees the 75th anniversary of the Dambusters raid on Germany.

RAF centenary
A Hurricane, Spitfire and Avro Lancaster Bomber take flight (Joe Giddens/PA)
RAF centenary
An F-35B Lightning II stealth jet is put through its paces (Joe Giddens/PA)
RAF centenary
In a year that also marks the 75th anniversary of the Dambusters raid, an Avro Lancaster Bomber delighted spectators (Joe Giddens/PA)
RAF centenary
Engineers inspect an engine on a B-17 Flying Fortress (Joe Giddens/PA)
RAF centenary
A Tornado GR4 makes its final appearance at a UK airshow (Joe Giddens/PA)
RAF centenary
The B-17 Flying Fortress also provided shelter from the rain (Joe Giddens/PA)
RAF centenary
Historical re-enactment members cycle along the taxiway (Joe Giddens/PA)
RAF centenary
Supermarine Spitfires fly in formation (Joe Giddens/PA)
The RAF Red Arrows
The Red Arrows put on a breathtaking display (Joe Giddens/PA)
The RAF Red Arrows
The sky was awash with colour as they performed (Joe Giddens/PA)
A Supermarine Spitfire comes in to land
A Supermarine Spitfire was an impressive sight as it came in to land (Joe Giddens/PA)
Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.