Amazing Red Arrows cockpit footage shows Top Gun pilot-eye view of magnificent Trooping The Colour flypast over Buckingham Palace
Thousands of Royal fans were treated to one RAF fly by at the end of today’s Trooping of the Color ceremony, which involved 34 different aircraft.
Sadly, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s fleet of Hurricanes, Spitfires and Lancaster bombers was grounded following last month’s fatal crash outside RAF Conningsy in Lincolnshire.
The RAF fleet was represented by three helicopters, ten fighter aircraft and a large number of transport or logistics airframes.
The six and a half minute flypast started with three Chinook helicopters flying close together.
In a very well choreographed display, the aircraft took off from RAF bases across the UK before flying along 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 height and time for the allotted time on the display.
In a highly choreographed display, the plane took off from RAF bases across the UK before flying the length of The Mall and over the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
In a highly choreographed display, the plane took off from RAF bases across the UK before flying the length of The Mall and over the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Fortunately, the sky was clear as the 10 formations took turns flying through the Mall
The RAF Red Arrows completed today’s flypast to celebrate Trooping of the Colour
There were fears that the screening might be canceled due to 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 tons of cargo, have a distinctive twin-rotor setup that produces the legendary ‘Womp Womp’ sound as it approaches.
The Chinooks are an RAF workhorse, specialized in troop deployment, resupply and casualty evacuation.
The three aircraft recently returned from NATO’s Stedfeast Defender exercise – the military pact’s largest deployment since the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The second wave of aircraft was from 29 Squadron, based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.
The three RAF Typhoons replaced the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which had been grounded since the tragic death of Squadron Leader Mark Long on May 25.
Squadron Leader Long died shortly after take-off when his Spitfire crashed near the edge of the airfield. An investigation has been launched into the events leading to his tragic death. Pending the results of the investigation, the RAF has decided to discontinue the BBMF.
The pilots who flew in today’s demonstration, led by Squadron Leader Andy Milikin – a former BBMF commander – were personal friends of the deceased airman.
William and Kate were on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with their three children to witness the historic event
The nine-ship formation of the Red Arrows completed today’s spectacular performance
Thousands of people looked 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 in the use of 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 premier trainer for the next generation of fast jet pilots.
The aircraft were flown by Squadron Leader James Bagnall of 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-engine jet is a long-range, heavy-lift strategic aircraft flown by Flight Lieutenant Kristian Pickworth and his first officer Flight Lieutenant Mike Chandler.
The Globemaster can fly above 30,000 feet and deliver 45 tons of cargo 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 that serves as an RAF tanker aircraft and can simultaneously carry 291 passengers and cargo. It was flown by Flight Lieutenant Craig Patterson and Flight Lieutenant James Conolly, with Mission Systems Operator Sergeant Sam Chaloner.
The Atlas can carry a 30-ton payload over 2,400 nautical miles and can operate in and out of established and unprepared airstrips. It can carry a combination 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 for detecting and tracking Russian submarines or for search and rescue operations.
It has a wide range 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 the UK’s Quick Reaction Alert – to detect and intercept suspicious aircraft approaching British territory.
The featured Red Arrows have given an estimated 5,000 demonstrations since their formation in 1965. They have visited a total of 57 different countries and will head to Canada later this summer to celebrate the centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The entire flypast was coordinated by Wing Commander Andy Shaw, who was located in the back of the Poseidon and ensured that each aircraft reached the Mall at the correct time.
He said: “It is an honor to be involved in delivering an aerial spectacle worthy of His Majesty the King’s birthday. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many excellent pilots to keep the King safe and fit today.”
One of the Typhoons in this wave was flown by a Qatari pilot 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 deployed in all theaters for strategic and tactical missions. The sensors ‘suck 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’ Jewishbury and Major Glenn Scott of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The ninth wave involved four F-35B Lightnings from RAF Marham. The next generation of stealth aircraft are part of the 617 Squadron: the RAF Dambusters.
The formation was led by Wing Commander Stew Campbell, commander of 617 Squadron. The 21-year-old RAF veteran previously flew with the Red Arrows between 2014 and 2016.
The display ended with a nine-ship formation of the Red Arrows chasing the red, white and blue smoke as they passed through the Mall.
Since 1965, the Red Arrows have completed almost 5,000 demonstrations and this season they are led by Squadron Leader Jon Bond, a former frontline Typhoon pilot.
This year the Red Arrows will provide 60 displays, including a tour of Canada.
