On This Day, 1999: On 5 June 1999 RAF Tornados flew their first combat missions from Solenzara in Corsica during Operation Allied…
Read the entry →Cold War Articles
In-depth articles, analysis and long reads from The RAF Chronicle.
The V-Force and Britain’s Cold War Nuclear Deterrent
Cold War
How the RAF’s V-Force became Britain’s early Cold War nuclear deterrent through the Valiant, Vulcan and Victor bomber force.
Read the article →RAF Cold War QRA and Britain’s Nuclear Deterrent Role
How RAF Quick Reaction Alert kept the V-force ready to launch and sustained Britain’s airborne nuclear deterrent in…
RAF Airborne Early Warning: Shackleton, Sentry and E-7
How RAF airborne early warning evolved from Shackleton and the failed Nimrod AEW.3 to E-3D Sentry service and…
Cold War RAF Operations, Readiness and Strategy Explained
How the RAF organised nuclear deterrence, air defence, reconnaissance and support during the Cold War, from the V-Force…
Anglo-French Military Air Transport Agreement Signed
Anglo-French military air transport agreement: Britain and France agreed reciprocal military overflight and servicing in 1948, strengthening post-war…
RAF Transport Command and the Rise of Global Air Mobility
How RAF Transport Command grew from wartime airlift into a global force supporting overseas operations, reinforcement and post-war…
Victor Tankers Arrive at Ascension for Falklands Operations
RAF Victor K2 tankers reached Ascension in 1982, laying the air-refuelling foundation for Britain’s long-range operations in the…
Thor Missile Test Launch Marks RAF’s Nuclear Missile Age
Thor missile test launch: RAF trainees launched a Thor missile from Vandenberg in 1959, highlighting Britain’s nuclear deterrent…
Canberra Escape at 56,000 Feet Over Derbyshire in 1958
The remarkable 1958 escape in which two Canberra crew ejected safely from 56,000 feet over Derbyshire during the…
TSR2 Cancellation and a Turning Point in RAF Procurement
On 6 April 1965, the British government cancelled the TSR2, creating one of the most debated turning points…
Berlin Corridor Crisis: RAF Argosy Flights Hold Firm
On 5 April 1965, Soviet pressure in the Berlin air corridors met continuing RAF Argosy flights that maintained…
Operation Mop Up: RAF Hunters Attack the Torrey Canyon
On 28 March 1967, RAF Hunters joined Operation Mop Up, attacking the Torrey Canyon wreck as Britain tried…
Vampire Altitude Record Set in the RAF’s Early Jet Age
On 23 March 1948, Group Captain J. Cunningham set a world altitude record in a de Havilland Vampire,…