Royal Air Force
How the Hawker Hurricane Saved Britain During World War II
The Hawker Hurricane was not as attractive or streamlined as the Spitfire, and it failed to capture the public’s respect in the same way. But the Hurricane was responsible for...
Britain’s Gloster Meteor Summed Up in 5 Words
Ultimately, the Meteor was not great and not terrible. It was a steady, reliable bird, and proved useful for the British and Allied air forces.
Despite Political Tensions, the Royal Air Force Is Buying More F-35s
Currently, the British military operates approximately 146 fighter aircraft, including 111 Eurofighter Typhoons and 35 F-35B Lightning IIs.
BTF Mission Accomplished: B-52s Come Home
The Boeing B-52s are coming back home to the USA after spending time abroad training across Europe.
The Revolutionary Design of the Supermarine Spitfire
During the Battle of Britain, perhaps the most fraught moment in the UK’s history, the Spitfire performed admirably.
America’s B-52s Are Back In The UK
The United States Air Force operates a fleet of seventy-six B-52s aircraft, including reserves.
RAF Bolton Paul Defiant: The Forgotten “Daffy” Turret Fighter of WWII
The RAF withdrew the Defiant from frontline duty due to the warbird’s limited endurance. When one thinks of gun turrets on World War II warplanes, one generally associates them with bombers,...
RAF Bristol Blenheim: This Civilian Airliner Went on WWII Bombing Runs
After France fell, the Blenheims were tasked with day and night attacks against Nazi-occupied ports and installations. Aviation history is full of examples of civilian airliners that were converted for...
The Westland Lysander was Britain’s First Spy and STOL Plane
Built for an army cooperation role, the Lysander excelled as a flagship for spying missions. “Some talk of Alexander and some of Hercules/Of Hector and Lysander and such great names...
The Eurofighter Typhoon Fighter Is Nearing the End of the Line
What You Need to Know: The Eurofighter Typhoon, a fourth-generation multirole aircraft, has served as the Royal Air Force’s backbone for two decades. Despite the rise of fifth-generation stealth fighters...
The Worst Fighter Plane Ever: The De Havilland Sea Vixen
What You Need to Know: The De Havilland Sea Vixen was a British twin-engine, twin-boom fighter aircraft with an unconventional design, featuring an off-set cockpit and extended fuel capacity in...
F-35 Fighters Could Soon Be Based in ‘Silent Hangers’
Summary and Key Points: The British Ministry of Defence has announced a £20 million ($26.1 million) investment to build a “silent hangar” at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire for testing advanced...