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RAF Stories

Discover RAF Stories which expand and enrich our understanding of the RAF today.

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Time period

WWI Interwar WWII Post WWII 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s Contemporary

I’m in the mood for…

Angry Sad Humour Wow Love

Values

Heroism Compassion Discipline Family Friendship Service Leadership Integrity Commitment Teamwork Pride Justice Spirituality Responsibility Honesty Excellence Courage Respect Loyalty

Themes

Parenthood Deployment Training Female Experience Black Experience Flying Teenage Experience Travel Terrorism Leave Pets Friendship Disability Career POW Death Asian Experience LGBT Experience Achievement Technology Duty Injury Bravery Joining up Plane spotting Life on base Hobbies Sport Weather Failure Defense Inspiration

Technology

Aircraft Technologies
- Lockheed Hercules Series (RAF)
- North American Mustang (Mark unknown)
- Avro Lancaster (Mark unknown)
- Westland Sea King Series
- British Aircraft Corporation TSR.2
- Bristol Beaufighter (Mark unknown)
- English Electric Canberra Series
- Panavia Tornado (Mark unknown)
- Hawker-Siddeley Harrier GR.1
- Hawker Hurricane (Mark unknown)
- Armstrong Whitworth Whitley (Mark unknown)
- Bristol Blenheim (Mark unknown)
- Vickers Wellington Mk. I
- Handley Page Hampden (Mark unknown)
- Handley Page Hampden Mk. I
- Handley Page Halifax GR.V
- Handley Page Hastings Series
- Short Sunderland (Mark unknown)
- Sepecat Jaguar
- Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4
- Blackburn B-101 Beverley
- Vickers Vimy Series
- De Havilland Mosquito Series
- De Havilland D.H.71 Tiger Moth
- Westland Sea King HAR.3
- Sopwith 2F.1 Camel
- Supermarine Spitfire (Mark unknown)
- Vickers Wellington (Mark unknown)
- Panavia Tornado GR.1
- Sepecat Jaguar GR.3A
- Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II
- Westland Sea King (Mark unknown)
- Lockheed Hercules C.1
- Avro Lancaster (Mark unknown)
- (By Manufacturer [T to Z])
- Hawker-Siddeley Harrier GR.3
- Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II
- Panavia Tornado Series
- Supermarine Spitfire (Mark unknown)
- Avro Lincoln (Mark unknown)
- Avro Lincoln (Mark unknown)
- General Dynamics F-111 (Mark unknown)
- Short Belfast
- Handley Page Hampden Series
- Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV
- Vickers Wellington Mk. IC
- British Aircraft Corporation Lightning T.5
- De Havilland D.H.9A (Mark unknown)
- Avro Lancaster Series
- Hawker-Siddeley Harrier (Mark unknown)
- Avro York (Mark unknown)
- Douglas Dakota (Mark unknown)

RAF Ranks

Flight Officer Sergeant Flight Lieutenant Clerk 1st Class Squadron Leader Acting Squadron Leader Captain Senior Aircraftman Warrant Officer Flight Sergeant First Lieutenant Aircraftman Class I Flying Officer Sergeant Sergeant Corporal Warrant Officer Group Captain Flight Sergeant Wing Commander Flight Lieutenant Second Lieutenant Major General Air Commodore Chief Technician Pilot Officer Pilot Officer Sergeant Pilot Leading Aircraftwoman Squadron Leader Pilot III

Units

13 Bomb Disposal Section 1 Squadron, RAF Regiment 148 Squadron 11 Operational Training Unit 4 Squadron Far East Air Force Queen's Colour Squadron, RAF Regiment 11 Squadron 230 Squadron 15 Bomb Disposal Squad 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit 1 (LAA) Wing, RAF Regiment 5003 Airfield Construction Squadron 50 Squadron 144 Squadron 54 Squadron 2 Motor Transport Squadron 602 Squadron 271 Squadron

RAF Stations

RAF Akrotiri RAF Biggin Hill RAF Compton Bassett RAF Gütersloh RAF Cottesmore RAF Scampton RAF Lichfield RAF El Adem RAF Wilmslow RAF Boscombe Down RAF Duxford RAF Aldergrove RAF Finningley RAF Kenley RAF Coningsby RAF Halton RAF Brize Norton RAF Bridgnorth RAF Catterick RAF Cranwell RAF Eastleigh RAF Honington RAF Driffield RAF Cosford RAF Oakington RAF Waddington RAF Blackpool RAF Lindholme RAF Benson RAF Colerne RAF Warmwell RAF Burtonwood RAF Warboys

Military Events

British Ground Operations In Iraq, 2003 to date Gulf War, 1990-1991 Battle of Britain, 1940 Occupation of France, 1940-1944 Cold War, 1946-1989 Lancaster Attack on Tirpitz, October 1944 Herrick, 2002-2014 Malaya Campaign, 1941-1945 Battle of Arnhem, 1944 Telic, 2003 Operations in Afghanistan, 2001 to date Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003 Falklands Conflict, 1982 Bombing of Germany, 1939-1945 Blitz, The, 1940-1941 Allied Air Operations Over Iraq, 2003 Battle of Dunkirk, 1940 Allied Air Operations Over Iraq, 1991-2003 Battle of Atlantic, 1939-1945 Bombing of United Kingdom, 1939-1945 France Campaigns, 1939-1945 Bosnia War, 1993 to date Berlin Airlift, 1948-1949 Blockade of Berlin, 1948-1949 Attacks on France, 1939-1945 Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939 Attacks on Belgium, 1939-45

Partners

World Fuel Services
BAE Systems
RAFA
Northrop Grumman
MBDA
Rolls-Royce
RAFMAF

The Berlin Airlift - 70 Years

Someday we'll have enough food. But if we lose our freedom we'll never get it back
Gail Halvorsen
The MIGs were looking for a reason to shoot us down
Peter Pilkington
The Soviets desperately wanted us out of Berlin
Aldon Ferguson
The will to succeed
Dr. Harold E. Raugh, Jr.
We slept under the wings
Brian Conway
It had been set up to breed a super race
Brian Conway
We were doing something with a purpose
Dr. Harold E. Raugh, Jr.
The Victors and the Vanquished
Dr. Harold E. Raugh, Jr.
They were young, they could dance, they had money
Aldon Ferguson
The Russians had cut off everything
Aldon Ferguson
Stalin realised he wasn't going to succeed
Brian Conway
Your parachutes are frightening the chickens!
Mercedes Simon
My mother always hoped that I'd be able to thank you one day
Vera Mitchrich
We unloaded twelve tons in just over three minutes
Brian Conway
I was just a kid off the farm, but I'd heard all about the RAF
Gail Halvorsen
Nearly seventy people lost their lives
Brian Conway
You realise that you've saved peoples' lives
Brian Conway
The Germans would steal coal
Brian Conway
It was an air controller's nightmare
Dr. Harold E. Raugh, Jr.
The first confrontation of The Cold War
Dr. Harold E. Raugh, Jr.
The West Berliners were going to be starved out
Dr. Harold E. Raugh, Jr
Stalwart leaders and stout-hearted soldiers
Dr. Harold E. Raugh, Jr.
Nobody has that many planes anymore
Dr. Harold E. Raugh, Jr.
Tunner learned from the airlift in Southern China
Dr. Harold E. Raugh, Jr.

Everyday Heroes

In one way or another, servicemen & servicewomen often find themselves in situations that require courage, whether this be to undertake a dangerous mission, to overcome a challenge or to deal with fear, personal struggles or loss. This collection of stories explores the many ways in which courage is shown in the day to day life of RAF personnel.

We were under attack, but no-one stopped playing cards.
Chris Annetts
Exposed to the greatest danger, he refused to back down.
Mark Johnson
I can still see his face as if it was yesterday.
Carl Austin-Behan
There were death threats. But I'm still here.
Flt. Lt. Gareth Davies
I won't let my autism be a disadvantage.
Daniel Pearce
He held fire while the German crew bailed out.
Mark Johnson
Get up and put your trousers on.
Katherine Du Plat-Taylor
I admitted I was gay. They could have sent me to prison.
Carl Austin-Behan
Mum's parachute didn't open. She never jumped again.
Candida Adkins
I saw a sport that was failing.
Flt. Lt. Gareth Davies
I was just relieved I could open my eyes.
Stuart Robinson

RAF Stories

Discover RAF Stories which expand and enrich our understanding of the RAF today.

The Berlin Airlift - 70 Years

Everyday Heroes

Top Ten RAF Stories

Collecting stories about the RAF from around the world

Join the RAF Stories project