Picture credit Rex Features/Jonathan Hordle
Britain's Royal Navy marked the centenary of its aviation with a celebratory flypast over HMS Illustrious on the River Thames today.
Forty naval aircraft led by four Merlin attack helicopters and including Sea Kings, Hawks and Jetstreams, flew directly over "Lusty" the strike carrier moored near Greenwich's Old Royal Naval College.
Prince Andrew, commodore-in-chief of the Navy met veterans of World War II, the Falklands War and the conflict in Afghanistan. HMS Illustrious will remained moored in London for the next few days.
The coming months are to be a period of celebration for the Royal Navy, with the UK's "senior service" marking the 100th anniversary of its first foray into aviation activities.
Continue reading Defence Editor Craig Hoyle's feature on a century of Royal Navy air power
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