RAF CELEBRATES ITS CENTENARY ON 01 APRIL 2018

It was King George V who authorised the formation of a new branch of the British military on 01 April 1918.  This was a historic moment as the RAF was destined to play a vital role globally in the years to come with the pilots of the Battle of Britain saving the nation and the world from what could have been a very different future.

There were many developments and landmarks for the RAF over the years and here are some interesting facts from the earlier days: –

• 21 April 1918 –  ‘The Red Baron’, Baron Manfried von Richthofen, a fearsome First World War pilot was shot down and killed.
• 05 February 1920 – The first ever 52 cadets enrolled at the RAF College Cranwell.
• 05 March 1936 – A prototype of the legendary Spitfire flew for the first time.
• 28 June 1939 – The Women’s Auxiliary Air Force is created and the new division serves as part of frontline radar units and at Fighter Command.
• 11 March 1940 – The first enemy U-boat is sunk by Bomber Command, 6 months into the Second World War.
• 04 June 1940 – An RAF victory, nothing short of a miracle when 316 663 troops are evacuated from Dunkirk.
• 10 July 1940 – The Battle of Britain begins and results in a momentous victory for the RAF which changes the course of the war.
• 16 – 17 May 1944 – Bouncing bombs are used by Squadron No617 to destroy German dams.
• 20 September 1952 – Jean Lenox Bird is the first woman to earn her pilot’s wings.
• 06 May 1965 – The Red Arrows, the aerobatics display team makes its debut.
• 01 April 1969 – The Harrier, the first fighter aircraft with vertical/short take-off and landing capabilities enters service.
• 19 July 2012 – a new era in air combat dawns when the Ministry of Defence takes delivery of its first F-35B Lightning stealth fighter.

From April through to September this year the RAF will be conducting many events and air shows to celebrate their centenary year starting with a gala concert at the Royal Albert Hall in March and ending with to the Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show in September.

Interestingly, although we are not celebrating our 100^th birthday just yet, The Bygone Network is celebrating a 20^th birthday and we will celebrate all year with a series of promotions to make it easier for customers to own our beautiful, authentic windows.

To find out more about what makes our windows so special, download our brochure here.