Timeline of the Royal Air Force facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It's one of the oldest independent air forces in the world! The RAF protects the UK and its interests, helps in conflicts, and provides aid around the globe.

How the RAF Began (1900–1918)

The story of the RAF starts with early flying pioneers.

First Flights and Clubs

1901: The Aero Club of Great Britain was created. Many early pilots learned to fly thanks to this club.
1905: Sapper Moreton of the British Army's Balloon Section was lifted 792 meters (2,600 feet) by a kite! This was supervised by the kite's designer, Samuel Cody.
1908: Samuel Cody made the first powered flight in the UK at Farnborough. This was a huge step for aviation!
1909: The Aero Club opened the first British flying field near Leysdown.
1909: John Moore-Brabazon became the first Englishman to make an official airplane flight in England.
1910: The Aero Club moved its flying activities to Eastchurch.
1910: Charles Rolls (yes, from Rolls-Royce!) was the first Englishman to fly across the English Channel.

Forming Early Air Forces

1911: The Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers was formed at Larkhill. This was one of the first military flying units.
1911: The Royal Naval Flying School was set up at Eastchurch.
1912: The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was officially created. It combined air units from both the Army and Navy.
1914: The Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) was formed. It split off from the RFC to focus on naval airships and aircraft.

Getting Ready for War

1916: As World War I continued, the RFC and RNAS needed better coordination. The Joint War Air Committee was set up to help them work together.
1916: The Air Board later replaced this committee to improve things.
1916: The RFC grew a lot, with 106 front-line squadrons and many training units.
1917: The Air Force (Constitution) Act was passed. This law made it possible to create a new, independent Air Force and an Air Ministry.

The RAF is Born and Grows (1918–1939)

After World War I, the RAF became a major force.

The Royal Air Force is Formed!

1918: The Air Ministry officially started. Lord Rothermere became the first Secretary of State for Air.
1918: On April 1, the Royal Air Force was created! It combined the RFC and RNAS into one powerful air force.
1918: The first RAF mission was flown by 22 Squadron.
1918: The Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) was also formed, allowing women to support the new air force.
1918: New medals for bravery and service in the air were created, like the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
1918: The Independent Air Force was formed. This was the RAF's special unit for strategic bombing missions.
1918: The RAF played a key role in the Battle of Megiddo in the Middle East, helping the British win.
1918: By the end of World War I, the RAF was the largest air force in the world! It had thousands of officers, aircraft, and squadrons.

Early Missions and Records

1919: The R34 airship made history by being the first aircraft to fly across the Atlantic Ocean from east to west.
1920: The RAF helped in British Somaliland, showing how air power could be used to control distant areas.
1920: The RAF College Cranwell was established. This is where future RAF leaders would be trained.
1921: The RAF took military control of Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq).
1923: The RAF carried out its first "air trooping" operation during a Kurdish uprising. This meant flying troops to where they were needed.
1924: The Fleet Air Arm was formed as part of the RAF, focusing on aircraft that operated from ships.
1925: The RAF carried out its first independent air action during "Pink's War" in Waziristan, bombing mountain strongholds.
1928: The Kabul Airlift was the world's first air evacuation. The RAF flew people to safety from Kabul.
1931: Flight Lieutenant George Stainforth set a new world air speed record, flying over 400 mph!
1933: Two RAF pilots, Squadron Leader Oswald Gayford and Flight Lieutenant Gilbert Nicholetts, set a new world record for nonstop flying distance.
1934: The RAF got its first aircraft with a rotating wing, the Avro Rota autogiro.

Building Air Defences

1936: The UK's air defences were reorganized into four main commands: Bomber Command, Fighter Command, Coastal Command, and Training Command.
1938: Maintenance Command and Balloon Command were also formed.

World War II and Beyond (1939–1945)

The RAF played a vital role in World War II.

RAF Goes to War

1939: The RAF Advanced Air Striking Force was formed, ready for operations in Europe.
1939: After the UK declared war on Germany, the RAF immediately began reconnaissance flights.
1939: The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) was created, taking on many important roles.
1939: RAF Spitfires shot down the first German aircraft over the UK in World War II.

The Battle of Britain

1940: The Battle of Britain began. This was a huge air battle where the German Luftwaffe tried to gain control of the skies over Britain.
1940:' On "Adlertag" (Eagle Day), the Luftwaffes attempts to defeat the RAF failed. The RAF shot down many more German planes than they lost.

New Aircraft and Big Raids

1941: The first British jet aircraft, the Gloster E.28/39, made its first flight.
1941: The Avro Lancaster bomber, a very famous aircraft, entered service with the RAF.
1942: Over 1,000 RAF bombers raided Cologne, causing a lot of damage. Similar large raids were carried out on Essen and Bremen.
1943: Bomber Command began bombing the Ruhr region in Germany, a major industrial area.
1943: 617 Squadron carried out Operation Chastise, famously known as the Dambusters Raid. They successfully breached the Mohne and Eder dams.
1943: The RAF began a four-month bombing campaign against Berlin.

Supporting D-Day

1944: On D-Day, the RAF provided crucial support. Avro Lancasters used radio jamming equipment to confuse the enemy, and Spitfires took important reconnaissance photos.

The Cold War Years (1945–1990)

After World War II, the RAF faced new challenges during the Cold War.

Post-War Operations

1948-1949: The RAF took part in the Berlin Airlift (Operation Plainfare). They flew supplies into West Berlin when the Soviets blocked ground routes.
1948: The RAF also began Operation Firedog against terrorists in Malaya, using Spitfires for offensive missions.
1949: The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) became the Women's Royal Air Force.
1952: During the Korean War, Flight Lieutenant John Nicholls shot down a MiG 15.
1953: RAF Lincoln squadrons helped in anti-Mau Mau operations in Kenya.
1956: During the Suez War, RAF Canberras flew reconnaissance and bombing missions over Egyptian airfields.

New Commands and the Falklands War

1958: Signals Command was formed.
1967: Air Support Command was created.
1968: Strike Command was formed by combining Fighter Command and Bomber Command. Coastal Command was later absorbed into it.
1982: During the Falkland Islands War, RAF Vulcan bombers carried out "Operation Black Buck" raids from RAF Ascension Island against Argentine positions.

Modern Operations (1990–Present)

The RAF continues to be involved in operations around the world.

Gulf War and No-Fly Zones

1990: RAF fighters were based in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait before the Gulf War.
1991: During the Gulf War, RAF aircraft played a key role in the air campaign over Kuwait and Iraq.
1991: The RAF began Operations Resonate North and South, helping to enforce the Iraqi no-fly zones for over a decade.

NATO and Other Missions

1993: RAF Tornado F3s and AWACS aircraft helped NATO restrict airspace movements over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Operation Deny Flight.
1998: In Operation Desert Fox, RAF Tornados bombed military targets in Iraq.
2001: The RAF provided air-to-air refuelling, reconnaissance, and surveillance support to US aircraft over Afghanistan during Operation Veritas.
2004: RAF Harriers were based at Kandahar Airfield to support ground forces in Afghanistan.
2004: RAF Tornado F3s helped with NATO's Baltic Air Policing in Lithuania.
2005: The RAF deployed to Indonesia to provide aid relief after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.
2006: Chinook helicopters helped evacuate British citizens from Lebanon.
2007: Strike Command and Personnel and Training Command merged to form Air Command.
2016: The RAF Search and Rescue Force was stood down, with its duties taken over by civilian services.

Tail of Tornado GR4 ZG750, marking 25 years of Tornado GR operations, at the 2016 Farnborough Airshow.