Royal Air Force

TheRoyal Air Force(acronym:RAF) is theair forceof theUnited Kingdom.The RAF began in 1918when the Royal Flying Corps (pronouncedcore) and the Royal Naval Air Service joined together. It is the oldest air force in the world.The first man to lead the RAF wasHugh Trenchard.The RAF has many bases across the world, including theUnited Kingdom,Falkland Islands,CyprusandGibraltar.Some examples of the British bases are RAF Lossiemouth inScotland,RAF Valley inWales,RAF Aldergrove inNorthern Irelandand RAF Linton-on Ouse inEngland.The RAF has newplanesincluding theEurofighter Typhoon,F35 Lightning IIand theBAE Systems Hawk.The Hawk is used to train fast jetpilots.At the end of 2022 the UK had 30F35 Lightning II.

World War II

The RAF were very busy duringWorld War II.Many important planes were built for the RAF. TheSupermarine SpitfireandHawker Hurricanehelped defend Britain during theBattle of Britain.TheAvro LancasterbomberattackedGermanywithstrategic bombing.The RAF lost great numbers of pilots and aircraft, fighting around the world and especially against theLuftwaffe,the German Air Force.

Other websites

• 241 Squadron RAF 1918 Great War Forum
• The RAF website
• pictures of RAF planes in action