An impressive RAF Flypast will conclude the Trooping the Colour celebrations this afternoon. The event, which features a spectacular display of pomp and pageantry, includes a carriage procession down The Mall and culminates with senior royals stepping onto the Buckingham Palace Balcony to watch the Flypast at 1pm. Below, we detail the aircraft types and formations that will fly directly over the palace.
Wave 1: Three Chinooks
The flypast begins with three RAF Chinook (CH-47) aircraft from 7, 18, and 27 Squadrons based at RAF Doiham. This year marks 45 years of Chinook service with the RAF. The Chinook is fitted with two Honeywell 55-L-714A Free-Turbine engines, can carry up to 55 troops or 10 tonnes of freight, and is used for search, rescue, and battlefield casualty evacuation. It has a maximum altitude of 15,000 ft, a maximum speed of 160 knots, and a length of 30.14 meters.
Wave 2: Dakota
The second wave features the iconic Dakota, operated by the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from RAF Coningsby. The Douglas C47 Dakota is one of the most successful military transport aircraft in history, widely used by the Allies during World War Two, including in Burma, the D-Day landings, and the airborne assault on Arnhem in 1944.
Wave 3: Phenom and Texan
The third wave includes the Embraer Phenom 100 T Mk1 from RAF Cranwell, joined by two Texan T1s from RAF Valley. The Phenom T Mk1 is 12.82 meters long with a wingspan of 12.30 meters, a maximum altitude of 41,000 ft, and can carry 5-7 passengers. Texans are used for basic flight training, with a wingspan of 10.20 meters, a maximum speed of 316 knots, and a maximum altitude of 31,000 ft, carrying one pilot and one passenger/instructor.
Wave 4: A400M
The fourth wave is the A400M Atlas from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Entering operational service in 2014, it provides tactical and strategic oversize lift capability, complementing the C-17A fleet. It has a wingspan of 42.4 meters, a length of 42.2 meters, a maximum speed of 0.68 Mach, and can operate at altitudes up to 40,000 ft.
Wave 5: C-17
Following the A400M is the C-17, a long-range strategic heavy-lift transport aircraft used in combat, peacekeeping, and humanitarian missions. It transported the body of Queen Elizabeth II for her state funeral. The UK C-17As are developing capabilities for troop drops, night operations, and rough runway landings. It is 53 meters long with a wingspan of 52 meters, a maximum altitude of 45,000 ft, and can carry up to 45,360 kg of freight over 4,500 miles, also used for long-distance medical evacuations.
Wave 6: Voyager and Typhoon
On each wing of the Voyager is a Typhoon FGR Mk4 from RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth. The Voyager is the RAF's sole air-to-air refueling tanker and strategic air transport, capable of carrying up to 40 stretchers and three critical care patients. The Typhoon can be deployed in air policing, peacekeeping, and high-intensity conflict.
Wave 7: Poseidon MRA1
The seventh wave consists of a Poseidon MRA Mk1 (P-8A) from RAF Lossiemouth. This versatile maritime patrol aircraft is designed for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and search and rescue, with cutting-edge technology to detect and monitor hostile contacts above and below the waves.
Wave 8: Rivet Joint
Behind the Poseidon is the RC-135W Rivet Joint from RAF Waddington. Entering service in 2014, it supports coalition and NATO operations. It is 41.1 meters long, with a wingspan of 39.9 meters and a maximum altitude of 39,000 ft.
Wave 9: Typhoons
Four Typhoons will fly in box four formation from 29 Squadron RAF Coningsby, the Typhoon Operational Conversion unit training pilots for front-line roles. The Typhoon FGR Mk4 is multi-role capable, engaging various target types with its weapons.
Wave 10: Hawk T1 and F35B
The Hawk T1 is a fully aerobatic, low-wing, transonic, two-seat training aircraft used by the Red Arrows, based at RAF Waddington. This year, nine jets will form the Red Arrow formation. The team, commanded by Wing Commander Nash, comprises about 150 air and ground crew. Following Trooping, the Red Arrows will cross the Atlantic to perform in the United States for 250 years of American independence.
