Fighter jets from RAF Lossiemouth with mark the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Battle of Britain today with a spectacular fly-past at Buckingham Palace.
Four Typhoons from The 1(Fighter) Squadron will join the show alongside Spitfires and Hurricanes in recognition of one of the most significant battles in British history.
Germany’s failure to gain air superiority over the RAF during the battle was one of the turning points of World War II and prevented the invasion of Britain.
The Typhoons will take to skies over London at 11.45am in the 10-plane display following an enhanced change of the guard by the Queen’s colour squadron.
Ten standards of Battle of Britain squadrons still serving in the RAF will go on show with RAF central and regiment bands to perform.
A Fire of Joy — a celebratory cascade of rifle fire – and three cheers for Her Majesty The Queen will be led by Air Vice-Marshal Richard Knighton, assistant chief of the air staff.
The date July 10, 1940 is widely acknowledged as the start of the Battle of Britain when the Luftwaffe attacked shipping convoys off England’s south-east coast.
On that day, the RAF shot down 14 enemy aircraft and severely damaged 23 more, according to reports from the air ministry at the time.
Some 200 patrols were flown by RAF aircraft on the same day 75-years-ago, involving 641 aircraft.
The Battle of Britain ranks alongside Trafalgar and Waterloo as a cornerstone of the country’s military past.