History

Question 1

when was the RAF founded?

Answer 1

1st April 1948:

It was the world’s first and is the oldest independent air force.

Question 2

Which two forces amalgamated to form the RAF?

Answer 2

The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS).

Question 3

Who was the farther of the RAF?

Answer 3

Lord Trenchard

Question 4

When was RADAR developed?

Answer 4

The 1930s

Question 5

When was the Battle of Britain

Answer 5

July-October 1940.

Question 6

What was the RAF’s first jet fighter?

Answer 6

Gloster Meteor

Question 7

What was significant about the English Electric Lightning?

Answer 7

It was the RAF’s first supersonic fighter, and the first ever to break Mach 2.

Question 8

When was the Falklands War?

Answer 8

1982

Question 9

What is the Harrier an example of?

Answer 9

STOVL (Vertical/Short Take Off and Landing) aircraft.

Question 10

When was the first powered aircraft flight?

Answer 10

1903 - The Wright flyer.

Question 11

Who designed and flew the first powered aircraft?

Answer 11

Orville and Wilbur Wright

Question 12

Which aircraft were used in the Battle of Britain?

Answer 12

The Spitfire and Hurricane

Question 13

What was 617 Squadron better known as?

Answer 13

The Dambusters

Question 14

What did the Battle of Britain air campaign achieve?

Answer 14

The delay and subsequent indefinite postponement of Hitler’s plans for an invasion of the United Kingdom.

Question 15

What was the largest RAF effort during WWII?

Answer 15

The strategic bombing campaign against Germany by Bomber Command.

The controversial area bombing of population, economic and industrial centres at least initially proved highly effective.

Question 16

What was the smuts review?

As a results of this review what was formed and on what date?

Answer 16

A review of the air defence of Britain following the Germans bombing London using air platforms.

The Royal Air Force, 1st April 1918

Question 17

During the 1930’s the RAF set new records for which three things?

Answer 17

1) altitude
2) long distance
3) speed

Question 18

In WWII what 4 commands were set up?

Answer 18

1. Fighter command
2. Bomber command
3. Coastal command
4. Training command

Question 19

What was fighter commands role?

What was bomber commands role?

What does RADAR stand for?

When was the RAF regiment formed?

Answer 19

The defence of Britain

Strategic bombing

Radio detection and ranging

1942

Question 20

What was operation Plainfire?

Answer 20

The UK’s contribution to the lifting of the Russian blockade of the Berlin on the 2nd of May, the RAF provided 17% of the total supplies delivered during the event, using Avro Yorks, Douglas Dakotas.

Question 21

What was the RAFs primary role during the cold war?

Answer 21

The defense of Western Europe against potential attack by the Soviet Union.

Question 22

Which 7 primary conflicts has the RAF been involved in modern history (since 1990)?

Answer 22

1. The Gulf War (1991)
2. The Kosovo War (1999)
3. The War in Afghanistan (2001)
4. The Invasion and War in Iraq (2003)
5. The Intervention in Libya (2011)

Question 23

Since 1990 there has been four major defence reviews.

Name them along with the date of their publication.

What 4 key things have resulted from these reviews?

Answer 23

1. Options for Change (1990)
2. Strategic Defence Review (1998)
3. Delivering Security in a Changing World (2003)
4. Strategic Defence and Security Review (2010)
5. Reductions in manpower (Approx. -5000)
6. Decreased defence spending
7. Cancellation of the BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4 maritime patrol aircraft was cancelled due to overspending and missing deadlines.
8. Early retirement of the Joint Force Harrier aircraft, the Harrier GR7/GR9

Question 24

What has become a key defence and security concern of the RAF in recent years?

Answer 24

In recent years fighter aircraft on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) have been increasingly required to scramble in response to efforts made by the Russian Air Force to approach British airspace.