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Flashcards in History Deck (24)
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1
Q

when was the RAF founded?

A

1st April 1948:

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

2
Q

Which two forces amalgamated to form the RAF?

A

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

3
Q

Who was the farther of the RAF?

A

Lord Trenchard

4
Q

When was RADAR developed?

A

The 1930s

5
Q

When was the Battle of Britain

A

July-October 1940.

6
Q

What was the RAF’s first jet fighter?

A

Gloster Meteor

7
Q

What was significant about the English Electric Lightning?

A

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

8
Q

When was the Falklands War?

A

1982

9
Q

What is the Harrier an example of?

A

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

10
Q

When was the first powered aircraft flight?

A

1903 - The Wright flyer.

11
Q

Who designed and flew the first powered aircraft?

A

Orville and Wilbur Wright

12
Q

Which aircraft were used in the Battle of Britain?

A

The Spitfire and Hurricane

13
Q

What was 617 Squadron better known as?

A

The Dambusters

14
Q

What did the Battle of Britain air campaign achieve?

A

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

15
Q

What was the largest RAF effort during WWII?

A

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.

16
Q

What was the smuts review?

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

A

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

The Royal Air Force, 1st April 1918

17
Q

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

A

1) altitude
2) long distance
3) speed

18
Q

In WWII what 4 commands were set up?

A
  1. Fighter command
  2. Bomber command
  3. Coastal command
  4. Training command
19
Q

What was fighter commands role?

What was bomber commands role?

What does RADAR stand for?

When was the RAF regiment formed?

A

The defence of Britain

Strategic bombing

Radio detection and ranging

1942

20
Q

What was operation Plainfire?

A

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.

21
Q

What was the RAFs primary role during the cold war?

A

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

22
Q

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

A
  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)
23
Q

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?

A
  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
24
Q

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

A

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.