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Plaque marks RAF's 90th birthday | Plaque marks RAF's 90th birthday |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A plaque has been unveiled in central London to mark the 90th anniversary of the Royal Air Force (RAF). | A plaque has been unveiled in central London to mark the 90th anniversary of the Royal Air Force (RAF). |
The green plaque sits at 80 Strand, once the Cecil Hotel where the RAF had its first headquarters in 1918. | The green plaque sits at 80 Strand, once the Cecil Hotel where the RAF had its first headquarters in 1918. |
RAF spokesman David Forsyth said: "Amazing progress has been made in just 90 years since we were born." | RAF spokesman David Forsyth said: "Amazing progress has been made in just 90 years since we were born." |
On 1 April Red Arrows will fly in formation with four Typhoon aircraft along the Thames to the London Eye, to celebrate the anniversary. | On 1 April Red Arrows will fly in formation with four Typhoon aircraft along the Thames to the London Eye, to celebrate the anniversary. |
The RAF was formed by merging the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service during the end of World War One. | |
It all began with string, wood, canvas, a primitive engine and an idea that air power was not just for dreamers RAF spokesman David Forsyth | It all began with string, wood, canvas, a primitive engine and an idea that air power was not just for dreamers RAF spokesman David Forsyth |
Its first headquarters were at the Cecil Hotel, which was requisitioned for the war effort in 1917. | Its first headquarters were at the Cecil Hotel, which was requisitioned for the war effort in 1917. |
The air force remained there until 1919 and most of the original building was demolished in the 1930s. | The air force remained there until 1919 and most of the original building was demolished in the 1930s. |
Mr Forsyth said: "Those early service men and women would be astounded by today's modern technology - jets, rockets, GPS-guided missiles and unmanned aircraft. | Mr Forsyth said: "Those early service men and women would be astounded by today's modern technology - jets, rockets, GPS-guided missiles and unmanned aircraft. |
"But it all began with string, wood, canvas, a primitive engine and an idea that air power was not just for dreamers." | "But it all began with string, wood, canvas, a primitive engine and an idea that air power was not just for dreamers." |
Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy unveiled the plaque on Sunday, in a ceremony followed by the RAF's annual memorial service at nearby St Clement Danes Church. | Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy unveiled the plaque on Sunday, in a ceremony followed by the RAF's annual memorial service at nearby St Clement Danes Church. |
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