Thousands gathered along The Mall to witness the breathtaking RAF flypast celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day in London. The historic event featured an impressive lineup of aircraft, including iconic wartime and modern planes.
Leading the formation was the Avro Lancaster, the most successful heavy bomber of the RAF during the Second World War. This revered aircraft, one of only two still airworthy worldwide, was admired from Buckingham Palace’s balcony by the King and Queen, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Despite occasional rain, hundreds of spectators lined Waterloo Bridge to watch the planes soar over the Thames. The Lancaster, built on May 31, 1945, at the Vickers Armstrong Broughton factory near Chester, symbolizes the sacrifice of those who served, though it never saw active combat as the war ended before its deployment.
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The flypast included the Voyager, operated from RAF Brize Norton. Originally a modified civilian passenger aircraft, the Voyager can transport up to 291 passengers and freight globally. The crew featured Flight Lieutenants Jason Alty, Will Ricketts, Andy Theobald, and Sergeant Handibode.
Also highlighted was the Airbus A400M Atlas, a modern military transport capable of carrying 37 tonnes or 116 passengers. This versatile aircraft played a crucial role in evacuations from Afghanistan in 2021 following the Taliban takeover.
The mighty C-17 Globemaster, known for its long-range heavy-lift capabilities, supports both combat and humanitarian missions worldwide. It has assisted UK operations abroad, including aid deliveries to Ukraine and the Middle East during the Gaza crisis.
Flying from RAF Lossiemouth, the Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft was part of the formation. Equipped with anti-submarine sensors and weapons, the Poseidon also excels in search and rescue and underwater target monitoring.
Six Typhoon FGR4 jets participated, stationed at RAF Coningsby and Lossiemouth, always on alert to defend UK and NATO airspace. Additionally, the intelligence-gathering Rivet Joint aircraft took part, gathering electronic surveillance data as part of ongoing operations, including Operation Shader in Iraq.
Flanking the Rivet Joint were F-35B Lightning jets from RAF Marham in Norfolk. These advanced stealth fighters feature short take-off and vertical landing capabilities suitable for carrier operations aboard the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class ships.
The grand finale was delivered by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the famous Red Arrows. With nearly 5,000 displays in 57 countries since 1965, their vibrant aerial performance was led by Squadron Leader Jon Bond, a former frontline Typhoon pilot from Essex and the team’s leader for the 2025 season. Bond crafts the routine seen by millions at major public events and air shows.