Rafs Collection

De Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth, the RAFs standard primary trainer throughout the war years - Photo Hugh W Cowin

Consolidated PBY-5 seen clad in drab 1942 livery Catalinas flown by the US Navy and RAFs Coastal Command helped defeat the U-Boat threat across the Atlantic

Trainee paratroops descending from a Barrage Balloon
Royal Air Force - Trainee paratroops descending from a Barrage Balloon, during training. The RAF's Balloon Operations Squadron, flying barrage balloons, was active training paratroops

Grob G. 115E Tutor G-BYUI (msn 82094/E), of Babcock-HCS, operating the RAF's flight experience
Grob G.115E Tutor G-BYUI (msn 82094/E), of Babcock-HCS, operating the RAF's flight experience and University Air Squadron tasks. Date: 2018

Douglas EA-3B Skywarrior N574HA (MSN 12406, ex BuAer 146454), flown by Hughes and Raytheon for radar /avionics / missile development along with at least 13 others

Grob G. 115E Tutor G-BYXM (msn 82173), of Babcock-HCS, operating the RAF's flight experience
Grob G.115E Tutor G-BYXM (msn 82173), of Babcock-HCS, operating the RAF's flight experience and University Air Squadron tasks

Royal Air Force - Beechcraft Texan T. 1 N2824B / ZM323 (msn PM-110). Date: 2018
Royal Air Force - Beechcraft Texan T.1 N2824B / ZM323 (msn PM-110). Date: 2018

Grob G. 115E Tutor G-BYXZ (msn 82182), of Babcock-HCS, operating the RAF's flight experience
Grob G.115E Tutor G-BYXZ (msn 82182), of Babcock-HCS, operating the RAF's flight experience and University Air Squadron tasks

Brewster F2A Buffalo -big and heavy, the RAFs Buffalos suffered the same inglorious fate as that of their US and Dutch conterparts at the hands of the Japanese

Vultee Model 72 Vengeance II taxying -RAFs AF797

Martin B-26 Marauder I aloft-the RAFs South African contingent were the users of this type

Miles Magister -the RAFs standard basic trainer built in large numbers

Short Stirling I -the first of the RAFs heavy bombers Designed to fit into existing hangars at the expense of performance

Short S25 Sunderland I -this ocean going flying boat was the backbone of RAFs Coastal Command in the early war years

Saunders Roe Lerwick -an ill fated effort to expand the RAFs anti-submarine capability that had to be withdrawn early

Kawanishi H8K2 Emily -the successor to the H6K Emily and equivalent to the RAFs Short Sunderland

Douglas A-20 Boston III -this American-built aircraft was the workhorse of the RAFs fast bomber forces until the arrival of the DH Mosquito

Bristol 156 Beaufighter IC found its way into the RAF s
Bristol 156 Beaufighter IC found its way into the RAFs Coastal Command to worry enemy shipping, especially E-Boats

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The RAFs have a rich history of aircraft, from the iconic De Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth to the impressive Consolidated PBY-5 clad in drab 1942 livery. The sight of trainee paratroops descending from a Barrage Balloon is both thrilling and awe-inspiring. One cannot overlook the Brewster F2A Buffalo, known for its size and weight, as it became one of the RAFs Buffalos. Another notable aircraft is the Grob G. 115E Tutor G-BYUI, operated by Babcock-HCS for the RAF's flight experience and University Air Squadron tasks in 2018. In contrast, we have the Douglas EA-3B Skywarrior N574HA flown by Hughes and Raytheon for radar/avionics/missile development before being scrapped in September 2010. Its presence was significant during that time period. The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford showcased various aircraft like the Grob G. 115E Tutor G-BYXM (msn 82173) also operated by Babcock-HCS for flight experience and University Air Squadron tasks in 2018. Additionally, there was the Beechcraft Texan T. 1 N2824B/ZM323 (msn PM-110), representing the Royal Air Force with pride. Another Grob G. 115E Tutor model seen at this event was G-BYXZ (msn 82182), once again utilized by Babcock-HCS for RAF operations in flight experience and University Air Squadron tasks during that same year. Let us not forget about historical gems such as Martin B-26 Marauder I aloft - an essential part of South Africa's contribution to the RAF - or Miles Magister, which served as their standard basic trainer. Lastly, we must mention Vultee Model 72 Vengeance II taxying under the RAFs AF797.