Happy 100th Birthday to the RAF!
The Royal Air Force turned 100 earlier this week and if you weren’t already aware you’ll soon find out how they celebrated in this post! Me and my Mum joined in in two huge celebrations and had an amazing time.
The main celebration took place on Tuesday 10th July and it was spectacular! According to the Evening Standard more than 70,000 people lined the streets of central London to watch an unbelievable parade and flypast of more than 100 RAF jets, helicopters and members of the RAF. Me and Mum joined in and celebrated too, waiting on the streets at the end of the Mall from half 8 that morning. We soaked up the atmosphere and thoroughly enjoyed the parade and flypast celebrations – the royal family forgot to invite us onto the balcony this time around!
Despite some numb feet and the early wake up call we couldn’t have had a better day, waving our flags and being right in the mix of the main crowd in front of Buckingham Palace. We chatted with the strangers next to us in true British fashion and had a little picnic too. To be honest, you can see from the photos how amazing it was but I think my favourite bit was when 22 Typhoon jets spelt out the number 100 in the sky and of course when the Red Arrows made a spectacular appearance!
That wasn’t the only celebration for the RAF Centenary though as the day before, on the Monday, me and Mum visited the exhibition at Horse Guards Parade showcasing new and old aircraft.
We wandered round Horse Guards Parade looking at all the planes and even got to sit in the back of the Chinook for a photograph! We had very tired legs by the end of the two days but it was definitely worth it! I even became a trend setter on the Mall with a flag hair-do but unfortunately there was just a few too many people for you to be able to spot us in the aerial photographs!
I feel very fortunate to have been able to experience this celebration and it was certainly an amazing way to celebrate 100 years.
Hope you’ve enjoyed reading this post, but wait, it’s not quite finished yet! Have a scroll down and take a look at the list of all the aircraft featured and some more of my photographs from the celebrations themselves.
Thank you again for everyone who has supported me, I can’t believe how far I’ve come in such a short time. I’ve a very exciting post coming next week too so be sure to visit again to find out what that’s all about.
Great post! Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll get an invite to the balcony from the royal family next time!
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Thank you! Haha, here’s hoping but let’s not hope it’s at the 200th anniversary, don’t think I’ll last that long! 😀
Wow this looks so good, i went to a celebration similar to this as a child and this bought back some lovely memories x
Thank you! Ah that’s so nice to hear! x
I love the Red Arrows. Saw them at Blackpool and they were great.
They’re amazing aren’t they?
This was such a lovely day! I got to see a bit of this because I live near Heathrow – really made me smile to see it as I couldn’t get to Central to see it 🙂 awesome pics x
Oh amazing, thank you so much! 🙂 x
I LOVE THIS. Being from and living in America, it was so cool to read a post about a different countrie’s history! It’s even cooler to follow someone and read their work that is actually a local from a different country and sharing their perspective on their countrie’s history. Thanks for sharing this. Also, my favorite picture is the ones of the planes with colored smoke!
Thank you so much, I’m so glad you enjoyed it and that I can share this with people like you who otherwise can’t experience it! Glad you enjoyed and thank you for your lovely comment! The coloured smoke is from the Red Arrows, they’re pretty awesome aren’t they? x
Looks like an amazing day! I’ve seen the Red Arrows before, they’re incredible. Great pics 🙂 xx
It really was, thank you so much that means a lot! xx
So cool you were able to attend! Looks like you had an amazing time!
It was fabulous! So glad we got up early to get a good viewing spot!
This looks so awesome! I’ve never been to England but it looks amazing I want to go so badly!
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Thank you! London is definitely the place to go if you’re ever visiting England! 😀 x
I’m so glad you had a good time sweetie! Your pictures look fab! I wish I’d been able to go!! ❤️❤️
Thank you so much gorgeous, it was a lovely day! Thank you, that means so much! 🙂 <3 <3
Looks like it was such a good day, I think I take seeing the RAF aircraft for granted seeing as my Husband is Ex RAF. I still can’t identify all the aircraft though
It really was, oh no way? Don’t worry I had to take photos of all the names so I could label the photographs haha! x
Looks like you had a fab couple of days, it’s always great seeing The Red Arrows, love it when they fly over the house here on the way to air shows. x
They really are amazing aren’t they? It never gets old seeing them fly either! x
So neat! We always go to the air show the airbase has near us holds every year and it’s always so interesting to see the differant aircraft, and parades are always great fun!
Oh amazing! I used to love going to shows like this and museums with my family and Grandad so reminded me of my childhood seeing this on Tuesday! 🙂 x
How dare the Queen not invite Imogen up for a drink and a chat. I’m sure she’ll remember next time. Looks like such a fun day though, brilliant post 🙂
Hahaha I know! Very upset 😉 Thanks lovely, glad you enjoyed! x
Fantastic blog on what looked like an amazing day celebrating such a wonderful anniversary. DerbyshireDuckie.com
Thank you so much, it certainly was an amazing day!
I love the photos in this post, especially the one with the 22 Typhoonjets spelling out 100.
Thank you, it’s really cool isn’t it?
Wow! These pictures and experience are amazing! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks so much for your lovely comment x
I’m so envious – I would’ve loved to have been there! My Great- Grandfather was in the RAF (or RFC) in WW1, as a fitter though, not a pilot. Have loved reading about your day x
It was an amazing day, awh that’s amazing – thank you for your lovely comment, glad you enjoyed! x