The UK Royal Air Force unveiled a specially-liveried Tornado GR4 from its world-famous 617 Sqn at Coningsby in Lincolnshire on 21 March, with its unique tail art commemorating the 70th anniversary of the unit's formation - then flying the mighty Avro Lancaster pictured alongside it in this Crown Copyright image.

Mid-May will bring the same anniversary of the 1943 Dambuster raids (formally performed under the name Operation Chastise) which earned the squadron notoriety and made Wg Cdr Guy Gibson and "bouncing bomb" designer Barnes Wallis household names, even today.
The immaculate Lancaster is part of the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, home-based at Coningsby, while 617 Sqn's current Tornado strike aircraft (another Crown Copyright image below) are ordinarily found at Lossiemouth in Scotland.
Cue the 'Dambusters March' theme tune, folks...

Recent Comments