RAF 1918-2018
 

Start the timer...

That'll be 50 years to the day from when I joined the RAF.

When I first looked at the title I thought it was an epitaph.

My thoughts are that it may turn into just that, with the Royal Air Force being almalgamated into the Army Air Corps as a cost saving measure once our Lords & Masters have let us celebrate the centenery .

The current trend seems to be for these trite 3 word phrases; 'Agile Adaptable Capable' is bad enough, now there's 'Commemorate Celebrate Inspire' for the 100th

What next? Arbeit macht frei? Or perhaps 'Kraft durch Freude'?

Incidentally, how many aircraft will there be in the mass flypast? There will be one, won't there?

Answering your own question, BEags?

And Al Pollock flew a Hunter through Tower Bridge to protest at what a low key event was being planned by the brass for the "50th.

Very much doubt that there is anyone left in the air force these days up for such a wheeze!::O

This is an RAF 100 celebration activity:

RAF Centenary Flight of the Navigator - Home

'My thoughts are that it may turn into just that, with the Royal Air Force being almalgamated into the Army Air Corps as a cost saving measure once our Lords & Masters have let us celebrate the centenery .

Now there is an idea - give the useful bits to the FAA and AAC and get rid of the rest including the RAF Regiment and Handbrake Houses.

Think of the cost savings achieved not having to supply a uniform similar to the Royal Auto Club. Combats, surv equipment and sea going needed only.

:ok:

And 53 from my commissioning. Time flies when you're having fun (?)

I presume the celebrations will be outsourced to Ascent?

Some might recall the request some time ago from the serving "100th RAF celebration" team for suggestions .

I did submit written suggestions in detail,(twice) as illustrated mini papers, as did at least one other( Rtd,Wg Cdr) PPruNer.

Anybody get a constructive (if any) feedback to their efforts ? ( We didn't).

I thought I'd leave it a couple of hours before checking back. It took as long as post #4 before someone brought up the 'end of the RAF' line and one more until the size of flypasts was mentioned.

I'm glad you didn't let me down folks.

BV

It would be pretty awesome if they could try to get every airworthy ex RAF airframe into a day-long fly-past, in order of service introduction time, over a suitable airfield (Duxford?).

I remember going to a 50th anniversary do at Tengah but can't for the life of me remember anything about it other than the location.

Still that was 49+ years ago :(

What utter tripe. The FAA & AAC have 'best' parade uniforms and, I suspect administrative facilities, the latter would be unlikely to have the capacity to cope with the influx of ex-RAF personnel so would at least need expanding. Most likely the ex-RAF admin would also have to crossover too, along with ATC, engineers etc. The airfields (the FAA & AAC would need additional airfields to cope with the extra aircraft) would require guarding as well so extra regiments would be needed from the army & the Marines to guard them in time of war.....or just keep the RAF Regiment, rebadged.

The number of times I hear this b***ocks about how much would be saved by getting rid of the RAF - just changing the uniforms won't save anything, there might be some rationalisation of support but you can't just scrap the lot & pass it to existing HQs without having to expand them negating any saving. The only way to save buckets of money would be to get rid of capabilities- aircraft, squadrons etc. Which roles currently supported by the RAF do you consider redundant, gijoe, and so needn't be provided by the FAA or AAC.

Don't bite Ken.....just a reminder that the full title of the FAA is 'The Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Air Force'. The RAF is hardly likely to become a subsidiary of one of its former sub-divisions!

Seeing as it is so incredibly small now, and getting smaller, I would imagine that it is far more likely that the miniscule Army Air Corps will be merged into the RAF...

As one who was present, it was an extremely good guest night, with AM Sir (Sidney Weetman) Rochford Hughes (CinC FEAF) as the guest of honour.

During that Friday afternoon, one of 74's Lightnings 'had to divert to Changi'. It was recovered during the dinner. More accurately, with some fine comms between someone on the Mess roof, ATC and the pilot, it did a flypast ... which was perfectly timed. As CinC rose to speak, the Lightning passed low and fast above the Mess in full reheat, rattling the glass louvre windows high above the dining room and leaving CinC temporarily speechless.

I understand that nothing further was said, as it had been perfectly executed. :cool:

Does that trigger a memory now, Tankertrashnav, or didn't you get a seat at the Guest Night?

For heavens sake, don't give the government ideas!