Historic RAF Fly Past Seen Over Chiswick

Commemorating the centenary of the Royal Air Force

Image - Jon Perry

Chiswick residents were amongst the thousands of Londoners who watched RAF typhoons, Spitfires and fighter jets and other military aircraft fly overhead last week Tuesday (10 July) afternoon. The planes were seen from 1pm to 1:20pm as they returned from commemorating the centenary of the RAF.

The formation was the largest ever of Typhoon aeroplanes consisting of 22 of these aircraft which had earlier formed the number 100 in the air- a feat that was only possible with extensive simulation training and practice one hundred miles out over the North Sea, to maintain absolute secrecy and ensure ample space for manoeuvring. Heathrow’s operations will be paused for 20 minutes to manage the fly past.

The event began with the Queen delivering a speech recognising the "remarkable contribution to defence” the RAF has provided over its distinguished service. She spoke as both a citizen who witnessed the RAF's gallant behaviour during the battle of Britain, and as the daughter of King George VI, who was a fully qualified RAF pilot. After her speech, the aircraft flew over Buckingham Palace began and were headed by RAF helicopters such as the Chinook and Puma.

Chiswick photographer Jon Perry left W4 to travel into central London to capture this remarkable images (see below).

Jon Perry

Image - Heathrow Airport

The formation consisted of 100 aircraft with 25 different models in the largest concentration of military aircraft seen over the capital in living memory. The spectacle also included the RAF’s latest purchase, the F-35 stealth fighters, in the first public appearance of these £92 million pound planes as well as historical aircraft such as the Spitfire and Lancaster bomber.

The event also entailed a service in Westminster Abbey with over 2200 people packed into the church including members of the royal family and key political figures such as the prime minister, defence secretary and Labour party leader. During the proceedings the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, praised the RAF and its importance in maintaining Britain’s defences as well as highlighting the role his family had played as many had served as airmen in the organisation.

The fly-over was rounded out with a flight from the famous Red Arrows which were the last planes to fly in their iconic arrow formation ending the celebration of the 100 years of the RAF 100 days after its birthday on the 1st April.

On the same day, Heathrow unveiled archive images of hangars, aircraft and engineers to help celebrate 100 years of the RAF- the airport was formerly known as 'Heath Row Aerodrome'

The fly over event was particularly special for Heathrow as the airport originated in 1929 as a small airfield, Great West Aerodrome, on land south-east of the hamlet of Heath Row from which the airport takes its name.

Development of Heathrow began in 1944 as a long-distance military aircraft base for the RAF, holding aircraft bound for the Far East. By the time the airfield was nearing completion, World War II had ended and the airport was no longer required as a defence base. Beginning with RAF roots, the government continued to develop Heathrow as a civil airport opening as London Airport in 1946 and was renamed Heathrow Airport in 1966.

A commemorative album has been produced in association with the RAF100 Appeal, entitled 100 Years of the RAF. Heathrow has a double page in the book, Heathrow’s operations will be paused for 20 minutes to manage the fly past.

The full collection of photographs from 'Heath Row Aerodrome' will go on display at Heathrow's archive - 'Heathrow: The Journey' - hosted by the University of West London.

100 Years of the RAF is a hardback book that has been produced to the highest of standards in the UK and features a wide selection of breath-taking imagery from the RAF Museum’s extensive archives. Created with limited-edition red, white and blue covers, the album serves as a stylish reminder of the past and present achievements of the RAF, and of the organisations around the world that support the service.

You will find ‘Heathrow: The Journey’ at the ‘Heartspace’ in the University of West London, St Mary’s Road, London W5 5RF. The archive is open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm and entry is free.

Aidan Coyle

July 13, 2018