Here are some of the most interesting facts about the impressive and powerful Royal Air Force:
- It is fondly known and referred to as the “Junior Service” because it was the last of the trifecta of the British Armed Forces to be formed.
- The first ever plane in the fleet of the Royal Air Force flew only 70 miles per hour. For contextual purposes, the current Typhoon plane can do over 1500 miles per hour.
- Though the military and the RAF were, at one point, a place for the lower societal class, this was not the case as time went on. In fact, there have been several celebriti
es who have served in the Royal Air Force. Some of these names include Richard Burton, Bill Wyman and Hilary Devey. - The motto of the RAF is a latin phrase that translates directly to ‘ Through Adversity to the stars’ and holds a special place in the hearts of those involved.
- Having shot down 61 German planes in the First World War, Mick Mannock was the first RAF flying Ace.
- The RAF is no small force, with over 1.2 million people enlisted during the Second World War and having over 70 000 who were killed.