RAF Centenary
2018 will be a major Year of History on the BBC to mark the centenary of 1918, a seismic year in the history of Britain and the world.
Published: 22 January 2018
BBC One
Tuesday 10 July 2018 will see a spectacular public celebration of the work of the RAF as part of its centenary commemorations. The day will begin with a service from Westminster Abbey in the presence of serving personnel, veterans and cadets.
Viewers will also be treated to a parade of RAF Queen’s Colours and Squadron Standards, as well as one of the largest fly-pasts in recent times down The Mall and over Buckingham Palace. The celebrations will culminate with a Feu de Joie, which will be fired to pay tribute to Her Majesty. BBC coverage will have unique access to all the key elements of the day’s events.
RAF at 100 with Ewan and Colin McGregor
BBC One
To celebrate the centenary of the Royal Air Force, actor Ewan and former RAF pilot Colin McGregor, his brother, take to the skies in some of the world’s most iconic planes.
It will quite an adventure as the brothers experience aerial combat at every stage of the RAF’s story, from the dawn of the dogfight in World War One, the triumph of the “The Few” and the bravery of the “Bomber Boys” in World War Two, through to the Cold War and right up to the supersonic jets of today. On the way they will meet some extraordinary men and women, they will explore the great moments such as The Battle of Britain and The Berlin Airlift, and will uncover little known stories of bravery and brilliance.
It is a story of amazing machines and epic battles but above all it is the story of the men and women whose courage and ingenuity have been at the heart of the RAF for 100 years.
RAF at 100 with Ewan and Colin McGregor (1x90') was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, BBC Director of Content and the Assistant Commissioner is Beejal Patel. Produced by Nick Catliff for Lion Television. Produced and Directed by Harvey Lilley.
News
Radio 4’s Today Programme is planning a special programme in March to celebrate the RAF’s centenary. Sophie Raworth also takes one of the surviving Dam Busters team to meet a new female recruit to the RAF as part of BBC Breakfast’s coverage of the centenary which started in mid-January.
BBC Teach
Dan Snow presents some of the best curriculum-relevant content about the First World War made by the BBC over the last ten years, featuring BBC talent including Andrew Marr and Jeremy Paxman. The History Curriculum Collection looks at a wide range of subjects, ranging from the birth of the RAF, to racial tensions during the war and the work of pioneering facial injury clinics.
