When was the RAF at its most capable?
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If most capable means when compared to the rest then late 1944 to 1950(ish), number 2 in a field of 2 (excluding tactical support), if it is in range then it is no more. Number 3 for most of the 1950s? Is there a league table somewhere?
Former colonies
Land of the Tsar
Us
de Gaulle's lot
The Israelites
The rest
Former colonies
Land of the Tsar
Us
de Gaulle's lot
The Israelites
The rest
In terms of shear hitting power I'd imagine 1963 was the year the R.A.F. was at it's most potent. The entire V-Force at it's peak with the Thor sites. Also, Bloodhounds galore with Lightnings and Javelins in the air defence role.
My own service was book ended by the two largest post - Coronation Flypasts; 1977 - Silver Jubilee: 128 aircraft and 1990 - Battle of Britain 50th: 168 I believe it was!
FB
My own service was book ended by the two largest post - Coronation Flypasts; 1977 - Silver Jubilee: 128 aircraft and 1990 - Battle of Britain 50th: 168 I believe it was!
FB
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I would suggest the RAF was at it's most capable when those serving were proud to be doing so, and the general populace were wholly supportive of the armed forces.
Finningley Boy wrote of 1963 when the "V' force was at it's peak. I was at Finningley in '63, and remember well the occasions when we wouldn't have to pay for our drinks in the local pub. The locals seemed to know those who worked on the line, perhaps we were always the scruffy ones. And when travelling anywhere in the UK just required a person to wave their thumb whilst wearing uniform and passing motorists would go tens of miles out of their way to assist said person in getting to their destination.
In those days, no effort was too much in helping to protect our way of life and our country. I believe we still had the same ethos as those who had served before us during WWII and immediately after. The Soviets were an ever-present threat, and we manned the barricades more so than either of the other two services. I still stand tall from my years in the RAF.
Finningley Boy wrote of 1963 when the "V' force was at it's peak. I was at Finningley in '63, and remember well the occasions when we wouldn't have to pay for our drinks in the local pub. The locals seemed to know those who worked on the line, perhaps we were always the scruffy ones. And when travelling anywhere in the UK just required a person to wave their thumb whilst wearing uniform and passing motorists would go tens of miles out of their way to assist said person in getting to their destination.
In those days, no effort was too much in helping to protect our way of life and our country. I believe we still had the same ethos as those who had served before us during WWII and immediately after. The Soviets were an ever-present threat, and we manned the barricades more so than either of the other two services. I still stand tall from my years in the RAF.
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Interesting point Alisoncc.
I think as a result of the Iraq and Afghan wars the standing of the services has risen in the eyes of the general populace recently. The increasing prevalence of "Help for heroes" stickers in car windows is one sign of this.
Certainly we have not reached the heights of the US yet (serving personnel bounced to the front of aircraft if there are spare seats, big welcome home banners etc) but I think it has improved.
I think the respectful attitudes expressed in wiltshire to the less fortunate on their return has helped educate others.
I haven't seen any hitchiker let alone someone in uniform for a long time so I can't comment on that though. I'd be interested to hear others' views.
I think as a result of the Iraq and Afghan wars the standing of the services has risen in the eyes of the general populace recently. The increasing prevalence of "Help for heroes" stickers in car windows is one sign of this.
Certainly we have not reached the heights of the US yet (serving personnel bounced to the front of aircraft if there are spare seats, big welcome home banners etc) but I think it has improved.
I think the respectful attitudes expressed in wiltshire to the less fortunate on their return has helped educate others.
I haven't seen any hitchiker let alone someone in uniform for a long time so I can't comment on that though. I'd be interested to hear others' views.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
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When was the RAF at its most capable?
November 1918. No question, no contest in my mind. At this time the RAF was the largest airforce in the world, equipped with the most modern equipment, bar the Fokker DVII, several of it's types serving into the 30s. Each aircraft was designed for a specific role on and beyond the battlefield and, most importantly, it was all battle proven.
Also, apart from from some French engines, all the equipment was manufactured in Britain.
Fascinating question.
November 1918. No question, no contest in my mind. At this time the RAF was the largest airforce in the world, equipped with the most modern equipment, bar the Fokker DVII, several of it's types serving into the 30s. Each aircraft was designed for a specific role on and beyond the battlefield and, most importantly, it was all battle proven.
Also, apart from from some French engines, all the equipment was manufactured in Britain.
Fascinating question.
ProM wrote
Hitchhiking in uniform is covered in the following regs.
http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafi...866A594026.pdf
'Occasions on which uniform is not to be worn:
....
f. Hitchhiking.'
TJ
I haven't seen any hitchiker let alone someone in uniform for a long time so I can't comment on that though. I'd be interested to hear others' views.
http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafi...866A594026.pdf
'Occasions on which uniform is not to be worn:
....
f. Hitchhiking.'
TJ
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Excellent Question
For me when i had Glandular Fever- Nailing a Nurse to the wall before i passed out was my best day god bless sick quarters at RAF Wilden....
On a serious note one has to question dates 1964 for example the Lightning was pretty much in its infancy- i'd go more for the mid 70s with the FGR2 in the GA /Recce role and the Jaguar getting better- not sure when but id say today yes the Typhoon can probably drop a bomb down a man hole but with such a small force...
Can any one answer this question.. Post war the country was in a mess yet the RAF had thousands of aircraft and 100000 + people and the UK could afford it so today with about 40,000 people and 200 + combat aircraft ...where is the money going????
On a serious note one has to question dates 1964 for example the Lightning was pretty much in its infancy- i'd go more for the mid 70s with the FGR2 in the GA /Recce role and the Jaguar getting better- not sure when but id say today yes the Typhoon can probably drop a bomb down a man hole but with such a small force...
Can any one answer this question.. Post war the country was in a mess yet the RAF had thousands of aircraft and 100000 + people and the UK could afford it so today with about 40,000 people and 200 + combat aircraft ...where is the money going????
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In the mid to late 70s I was a CIO Office Commander and the recruiting targets that each office had to meet were horrendous. The RAF was increasing at that stage. It was like being on a treadmill. Even so, I think we managed to keep the standards high and weed out the obvious plonkers.
I think we managed to keep the standards high and weed out the obvious plonkers.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Even allowing for political puff, the cost of one Typhoon today would have bought between 2 and 4 V-bombers. While the Vulcan could not drop a bomb down a manhole it could certainly vaporise the manhole and half a mile around in Moscow without an external support - no air refuelling, no GPS, no AWACs etc etc.
A number of years ago in "Flights" straight and level column sombody calculated (based on bombing effectiveness) that the small Tornado force was more effective than the whole of bomber command at it's peak in 1944.
One of those bits from flight I should have kept.
The other piece was in the small ads.
Wanted, White paint for Enterprise type starship, must be capable of withstanding warp factor 9.
Wish I'd cut that one out.
One of those bits from flight I should have kept.
The other piece was in the small ads.
Wanted, White paint for Enterprise type starship, must be capable of withstanding warp factor 9.
Wish I'd cut that one out.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
True about the CIO problem and still rampant in the 80s. They would get a good prospect in regardless of the individual's qualifications. This meant they were slotting women with 4 good A-levels into PersAdmin jobs or other jobs well below their capabilities. Result, bum on seat and one disatisfied airman.
