Tag Archives: RAF

How a dyslexic schoolgirl helped design the Spitfire!

Posted on December 28, 2021 by Stephen Liddell

With its graceful curves, elliptical wings and distinctive engine sound, the Spitfireis a British icon. A status solidified since its heroic efforts in the Battle of Britain in 1940. The Spitfire is the most famous fighter aircraft in British aviation history and has … Continue reading →

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The Endcliffe Park Memorial in Sheffield & the incredible devotion of Tony Foulds.

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Stephen Liddell

It isn’t often that a tale of war has anything like a happy moment but in recent weeks increasing numbers of people have become aware of a terrible accident in 1944, just one of countless up and down the country … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, London, News, WW2, Ye Olde England Tours | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

RAF Icons of the Jet-Age

Posted on April 26, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

Concluding my short series of blog posts on iconic RAF planes to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force we finally reach the period that most of us are best familiar with.  The age of the jet engine. … Continue reading →

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WW2 icons of the RAF

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

Following on from my RAF100 post the Sopwih Camel and WW1… By 1940 the awesome might of Hitler’s Luftwaffe had been displayed in the lightning blitzkrieg offensive that annexed France in six weeks. In the aftermath the British had managed … Continue reading →

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The legendary Sopwith Camel – Icon of WW1 fliers

Posted on April 9, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

The first really star plane of the Royal AirForce was the Sopwith Camel which was already in service for the Royal Flying Corps. The Camel grew out of the Sopwith Pup, a little fighter introduced in 1916, but which was … Continue reading →

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100 Years of the RAF

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Stephen Liddell

This week sees the 100th anniversary of the oldest dedicated air force in the world, the Royal Airforce or RAF. The formation of the RAF was partly a bureaucratic cost-saving exercise by the Prime Minister Lloyd George. He wanted to … Continue reading →

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Animation of Allied bombing raids on Nazi occupied Europe

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Stephen Liddell

I was going to write something entirely different today and indeed had even started writing it when I happened across a segment of this newly released animated video by the Imperial War Museum in London which I thought many others … Continue reading →

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75th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain – This was our finest hour

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Stephen Liddell

Today marks the start of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the skies of London will be treated once again to the familiar sights and sounds of Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancaster bombers.  As strange as it sounds, … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, London, WW2 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

70th Anniversary of D-Day

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Stephen Liddell

This time 70 years ago on 6th June 1944, the world held its breath as the largest amphibious military operation even seen was under way.  Operation Overlord was the long-awaited Allied invasion of Nazi held Europe that would lead to … Continue reading →

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