How the Dowding System Worked in Britain’s Air Defence
How the Dowding system linked radar, observers, plotting rooms and fighter control to direct RAF interceptions during the Battle of Britain.
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Battle of Britain Enters Its Final Phase of Night Raids
On 6 October 1940, the Battle of Britain entered its final phase as Luftwaffe attacks shifted from daylight assault to night bombing.
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Joint Helicopter Command Is Formed as a Tri-Service Command
On 5 October 1999, Joint Helicopter Command was created at Wilton to unify Britain’s battlefield helicopter capability in one tri-service structure.
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10 Squadron Reforms for Duty in the Berlin Airlift
On 4 October 1948, 10 Squadron reformed at RAF Oakington for the Berlin Airlift, later flying from RAF Lübeck to help sustain West Berlin.
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RAF Final Cod War Sortie in the 1973 Iceland Dispute
The RAF’s final Cod War sortie on 3 October 1973 marked the end of Britain’s aerial fishery-protection role as talks with Iceland continued.
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Sopwith Pups Raid German Airfields in Belgium at Night
On 2 October 1917, three Sopwith Pups raided German airfields in Belgium at night, showing how fighter bombing tactics were evolving.
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RAF and the Decline of Flying Boats: Why a Maritime Era Ended
From Southampton cruises to Sunderland patrols, Berlin and Korea, explore why RAF flying boats gave way to land-based maritime aircraft.
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Vulcan XA897 Crash Near Heathrow and the Risks of Early V-Force
On 1 October 1956, Vulcan XA897 crashed near Heathrow, killing four crew and exposing the hazards of the RAF’s early V-force service.
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Allied Air Power Helps Breach the Hindenburg Line in 1918
By 30 September 1918, Allied air power was helping breach the Hindenburg Line through reconnaissance, artillery support and attacks on movement.
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Military Aircraft in 1914: The RFC’s Reconnaissance Role
What military aircraft did in 1914: how the RFC flew to France, found German columns before Mons and the Marne, and first tried aerial photography, wireless and machine guns.
