The World’s first independent Air Force was born in battle, created for a single purpose – to defend the skies over Britain. From the biplanes of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service to the fast jets of today’s Royal Air Force, the bond of man and machine in service in the skies has not changed. As technology moves on we look to the future, but the mission remains the same – defence of the UK and her Allies.

It is 100 years since the aeroplane first went to war; No 2 Squadron Royal Flying Corps led 60 aircraft from Dover to France on 13 Aug 1914. Today a replica BE-2 biplane flew into Headcorn airfield in the markings of Lt Hubert Harvey-Kelly, the first British airman to land in France. A Tornado GR4 from No II (AC) Sqn paid tribute with a fly past over the cliffs of Dover.