The reason I went to Horse Guards Parade on Friday was to see these 3 aircraft. The Sopwith Snipe, a Spitfire and a Typhoon Jet. Friday was the 98th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Air Force. The same aircraft are on the RAF centenary Project logo.
The Sopwith Snipe and the Spitfire overlooking the Parade ground as the Changing of the Guard is taking place. Doubt I will ever see that happening again.
The Sopwith Snipe was a successor to the Sopwith Camel and was first used by the RAF in September 1918 until 1928. This one on display was built by the Vintage Aviator company in New Zealand in 2011/12. Many of the parts, including the engine, are original from the RAF Museum
The Typhoon Jet was a full sized replica and was assembled on the Parade ground. A real Typhoon Jet flew over Horse Guards Parade later that day. It can fly at a speed of 1,320 mph. but I imagine it didn't reach that speed as it flew over London.
What interesting vintage aircraft! I have heard of the Sopwith Camel and the Spitfire and would love to have seen them in person. Thank you for the fine pictures. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat is the sort of thing I like seeing. Love the Spit
ReplyDeleteHello, it is cool seeing these vintage airplanes and jets. What a great collection of photos. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!
ReplyDeleteHonoring heroes! We all owe the RAF ! Beautiful planes .. Lovely to see the changing of the guard.
ReplyDeleteimagine the fuel guzzling at 1320mph
ReplyDeleteA very memorable day! I love the roar of jet fighter planes but the Spitfire is probably the most iconic RAF fighter plane of all time!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos.
interesting planes
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful planes. I can't believe how few people there appears to be to join in such a wonderful chance to get close to those historic machines.
ReplyDeleteHow cool to see those old planes all nicely restored.
ReplyDeleteNo chance of getting in and playing with the joystick then. As soon as I hear the name Spitfire I think of Biggles.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly are having fun and providing such gorgeous photos and information too!
ReplyDeleteWishing you peace in each day ~ ^_^
I ove planes, especially old ones. lucky you.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure it would be to fly in one of these!
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful vintage airplanes! Nice to see this parade for the RAF
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos and information!
ReplyDeleteI have not seen a parade like this since I was a child. Good to see and such a beautiful castle :)
ReplyDeleteOnce I attended a conference in Cambridge and I was lucky enough to witness an air show of a Spitfire. They are so beautiful and they carry so much history!
ReplyDeleteI saw a little of this on the news. Would have loved to go myself. Wonderful that you could get such great shots.
ReplyDeleteLovely old planes and what a special day for you to be right there.
ReplyDeleteDuring my years as a coach driver I have been able to see several airshows featuring both new and older planes. The noise is always so evocative, although I can imagine that hearing hundreds and hundreds of them at the same time can be pretty scary!
ReplyDeleteThat is special to see those planes in the middle of a city!
ReplyDeleteAmazing....
ReplyDeleteYou always have such special, interesting, posts. And, I enjoy it each time I visit!!!
Wonderful parade of the planes.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting outing. The backdrop for your photos makes them very special indeed. I love your photos in your previous post too, with the guards' brightly polished armour. A day to remember.
ReplyDeleteWow, what an amazing sight, especially in that setting. It looks like you were able to get quite close for photographs, too.
ReplyDeleteThats a remarkable change in technology! Nice to see them close up.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
That would have been an unusual sight. Great shots of the planes and the guards. They were great planes.
ReplyDeleteAs a pilot, I love planes of course. This seems like an unusual place for them to be on display. Did they bring them in by road? I can't imagine a place to land near all those old structures. - Margy
ReplyDeleteWow that must have been very interesting !
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