The support personnel and aircrew were highly technical people working in extremely well-structured organisations. As new airborne technology changed the face of warfare for ever, the RAF gave its aviators and personnel a new home for a novel culture to develop, independent of its navy and army ancestry.
Early in the First World War, when visibility was poor, the union flag painted on the wings of British aircraft was sometimes mistaken by British forces for the German cross, resulting in allied gunners firing on their own aircraft. Major-General Henderson, commander of the RFC, wrote to the French requesting permission to allow British aircraft to adopt the French aircraft identification symbol, with the colours reversed.
The French symbol originated from the cockade, a knot of red, white and blue ribbon worn by French revolutionaries in the late 18th century.
After amalgamation of the RNAS and the RFC in , the RAF continued to use this roundel on its aircraft; today it is painted on all British military aircraft and is one of the most widely used and iconic symbols of the Service. The RNAS, meanwhile, introduced a similar badge depicting an eagle, worn in the more traditional position on the uniform sleeve. All aircrew in the RAF would subsequently be awarded a flying badge; two wings for pilots and a single wing for all of the other aircrew branches and trades.
By , the Force comprised 1. The impact of the architecture on members of the RAF was important; in addition to hangars and technical buildings, personnel needed convivial surroundings, married quarters, churches, messes, post offices and leisure facilities. Designs for barrack blocks, messes and station HQs incorporated impressive faux-Georgian windows, while more important buildings boasted columns and intricate finishing touches.
It was so popular that it overwhelmed the transport system and blocked roads for miles around. Over the years, the pageants became increasingly impressive and incorporated mock-ups of enemy positions, forts and ships.
In , a spectacular reconstruction of an enemy port attack was seen by more than , people. Royalty, politicians and the public were given an impression of how RAF operations such as air defence, maritime strikes and long-range independent bombing of enemy positions were conducted. It was also an opportunity for the RAF to demonstrate how its aeroplanes were being used to quell unrest in the empire at a fraction of the cost of using garrisons of soldiers.
The tradition, started at Hendon in , continues to play an important role in giving the public access to the RAF, while also promoting the UK at home and overseas.
Formed in , the Red Arrows — the famed aerobatic display team which flies in distinctive Hawk fast-jets — were seen by over 1. It proved to be an important blueprint for how the new service should be structured. The apprentice school attracted high calibre boys who could not afford a private education.
Meanwhile, the RAF College conducted officer training, with all cadets undertaking pilot instruction. From the very first course, they set about studying the lessons from the First World War and how aeroplanes should be used in future combat. The apprentice school, the officer cadet college and the staff college formed the backbone of the new Service, in which the RAF attitudes, humour, slang and informal rules, developed from the early days of aviation, would flourish.
The IAF operates by day and night against industrial targets in Germany and enemy aerodromes. Allied intervention is undertaken in an effort to inhibit the transfer of German troops between the Eastern and Western Fronts, to deny Russian resources to the Germans and to prevent the German Navy from using the ports as bases from which submarines could threaten transatlantic shipping. July Major A.
The drops are conducted from an altitude of feet and two of the twelve aircraft involved are shot down by German ground fire. From a position off the Lyngvig Light, HMS Furious launches seven Sopwith Camels modified to carry 50 pound bombs on a dawn strike against German dirigible steerable airship sheds at Tondern at the mouth of the Elbe. August Allied air forces mount concerted attacks on enemy airfields, especially those occupied by the German Schlachtstaffeln Close Air Support Squadrons.
There was also intense air-to-air combat with the Royal Air Force losing aircraft in the second week of August and claiming German aircraft shot down. August Fighter sweeps are instituted over the Western Front. These were usually composed of Sopwith Camel squadrons at 10, feet, Royal Aircraft Factory SE5 squadrons at 14, feet and Bristol Fighter squadrons at 18, feet.
August In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, the Russian army that had previously blocked Turkish forces in the south Caucasus collapses and a British force under the command of Major-General L.
It falls into the sea in flames, 8 miles from Wells-next-the-Sea, killing all of the crew. Royal Air Force aircraft also damage a second airship, the L65 and the surviving airships drop their bombs into the sea and return to base. The opening day of the Battle of Amiens sees the he Royal Air Force and French Air Forces with approximately 1, aircraft available and opposed by only German aircraft.
Beauchamp-Proctor, a South African of No. West of No. No British aircraft are lost. August-September No.
The Group is responsible for units in the Kent and Dunkirk area. Lawrence wrote of this attack :. Barker, a Canadian of No. He was brave man, a clean fighter and an aristocrat. May he rest in peace. Flight reported that Germany had developed an aircraft which could hover above the ground. Flight also reported on the announcement in April that RFC pilot James McCudden was to be awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery and the downing of 54 enemy aircraft.
Flight also carried an intriguing story on 7 March about a report that Germany had developed a new type of aircraft with three propellers which could hover above the ground to give more time for the bomb aimer to find their targets.
State-of-the-art aircraft — the Sopwith Camel. Because of recent losses to allied aircraft, there were calls to increase production of new aircraft. British aircraft factories were chided for stoppages or strikes, while Flight reports on the first meeting of an Inter-Allied Conference to increase prodcution through aircraft standardisation. There was also a plea for more reliable aero-engines.
The Us publication Aeronautics — which makes no mention of the creation of the RAF in its April issue — does report on a speech made in Parliament in February saying that Germany had reduced its number of standard aero engines to seven whereas Britain had up to 61 different types, all of which required different spare parts.
Equality and inclusion still had a long way to go in Equality for women still had a long way to go in April No doubt in time to come women aviators will be numerous but in war time there is no place for them. Being now entirely separate from the Army, it cannot trade on the reputation of the British soldier.
It has to make a reputation for itself. One hundred years ago on 1 April , the world's first independent air arm was created in the form of the Royal Air Force. They may not put themselves in physical harms way, but RAF Reaper crews are overdue recognition for potential risk to mental well being and professionalism after ten years of high tempo operations, argues an academic after a groundbreaking study of U To provide you the best browsing experience possible, our site uses cookies.
By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Learn more about the cookies we use. The Force awakens - the formation of the RAF. A fearsome uniform? What the best dressed RNAS air mechanic was wearing in The Piloteer Not everyone liked the new uniform.
Getting rid of competent people? The Aeroplane April There was also much debate about the way that the new Service would be run as far as discipline was concerned.
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