On This Day, 1988: Sheila Scott died on 20 October 1988, leaving a legacy of solo world flights, polar exploration and record-breaking…
Read the entry →Modern RAF Articles
In-depth articles, analysis and long reads from The RAF Chronicle.
First Poseidon MRA1 Lands at RAF Lossiemouth
Modern RAF
On 13 October 2020, City of Elgin became the first Poseidon to land at RAF Lossiemouth, establishing the fleet at its permanent Moray base.
Read the article →RAF Harrier and Tornado Units Return Home from Iraq
Harrier and Tornado detachments returned to the UK after operations, while a smaller Harrier element stayed forward for…
Julie Ann Gibson Becomes RAF’s First Female Pilot Graduate
On 14 June 1991, Julie Ann Gibson became the RAF’s first female regular pilot graduate, a landmark in…
Black Buck 7 and the Final Vulcan Raid on Stanley | RAF Chronicle
On 11 June 1982, the RAF launched Black Buck 7, the final conventional Vulcan bombing mission of the…
RAF Tornados Launch Solenzara Sorties in Kosovo War
On 5 June 1999 RAF Tornados flew their first combat missions from Solenzara in Corsica during Operation Allied…
How Technology Changed RAF Aircraft Design and Capability
A deep RAF Chronicle Long Read on how airframes, engines, fuel systems, avionics and crew protection reshaped RAF…
Bosnia Airlift Milestone for No. 47 Squadron Hercules
On 3 June 1993, No. 47 Squadron Hercules crews reached 600 Bosnia airlift sorties and 19 million pounds…
No. 29 Squadron Phantoms Take Ascension Island QRA in 1982
On 24 May 1982, No. 29 Squadron’s Phantom fighters took over Quick Reaction Alert on Ascension Island during…
C-17 Globemaster III Enters RAF Service with No. 99 Squadron
On 23 May 2001, the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III entered RAF service with No. 99 Squadron, transforming Britain’s…
Atlantic Conveyor Reinforces British Air Power in Falklands
On this day in 1982, Harrier GR3s and Sea Harriers arrived aboard Atlantic Conveyor, reinforcing British air power…
Lynx Sea Skua Strikes Hit Argentine Ships in the Falklands
Sea Skua attacks in the South Atlantic on 2 May 1982 sank Comodoro Somellera and damaged Alferez Sobral…
Black Buck 1: Vulcan Strike Opens Falklands Air Campaign
Black Buck 1: Vulcan XM607’s record-range 1982 strike on Port Stanley opened the RAF offensive phase of the…
Falklands Exclusion Zone Set as Air Campaign Nears
Falklands exclusion zone: Britain’s 1982 warning to Buenos Aires over a Falklands no-fly area marked a key shift…