VE Day 80th

[jasonT1981]

Will be there on Waterloo bridge, but compared to the likes of RAF100 and the Jubilee, 23 aircraft and the Reds is way less than I thought when it was announced.

I had hoped for an "80" formation from the Typhoons.

[markranger]

Will be there on Waterloo bridge, but compared to the likes of RAF100 and the Jubilee, 23 aircraft and the Reds is way less than I thought when it was announced.

I had hoped for an "80" formation from the Typhoons.

Same here, Also wondered if other nations that fought along side would be allowed to send stuff,

[EAGLE]

Do we know if there will be any participation from Rotary aircraft? Want to plan where to view the flypast from, will head down closer to London if there is otherwise i'll stay closer to home

[Vulcanone]

Do we know if there will be any participation from Rotary aircraft? Want to plan where to view the flypast from, will head down closer to London if there is otherwise i'll stay closer to home

Presumably now they have practiced it. A press release of what is in the event will be released before the weekend

However I would have thought they would have had some involved on the practice

[Wyvern]

No rotary aircraft in the rehearsal flypast...

[Gary]

Will be there on Waterloo bridge, but compared to the likes of RAF100 and the Jubilee, 23 aircraft and the Reds is way less than I thought when it was announced.

I had hoped for an "80" formation from the Typhoons.

Thinking about trying Waterloo bridge. Part of me wants to try the far end of the Mall and get a shot of the crown and the reds.trailing smoke above but not sure i can't be bothered with thr crowds

[jasonT1981]

I was there for the Jubilee, it was very enjoyable. Not as crowded and room to move. Only issue is traffic is still moving on the bridge.

[Deramore]

I came in for a bit of criticism for my original post suggesting the VE day celebrations were somewhat tepid, some wag even suggested I was a Daily Mail reader for having the audacity to critise the celebration.

I just think we should have made more of the day. It has been tacked on to what essentially is Labour Day or International Workers Day, only my view but it should have been a separate day for celebration to give more relevance rather than what to me is a bank holiday of convenience.

As some have now said, a 23 aircraft flypast is pretty meagre compared to RAF100 etc.

As an aside I visited a local school to inspect for the grandchildren and was curious whilst there to see if there was any kind of VE celebration, I enquired with one of the snowflakes, well you can guess the answer to that one.

A wall celebrating BLM and Pride was practically heaving under its own weight but VE Day, zilch.

When I mentioned if they were celebrating this event her eyes glazed over, I think she thought it was something to do with the Great British Bake Off.

I accept for the "yoof" WW2 doesn't exist but surely events such as this are part of our national identity and should not be air brushed away.

Ps never read the Daily Mail btw.

[jules50]

Red Arrows - VE Day 80 Flypast - Mon 5 May 2025:
1. 530958N 0003126W (RAF WADDINGTON (EGXW) - 1.05pm
2. 530745N 0002105W (W OF MARTIN) - 1.07pm
3. 525758N 0001702W (S OF GREAT HALE) - 1.09pm
4. 530601N 0005357E (OVERSEA) - 1.18pm
5. 525653N 0012309E (OVERSEA) - 1.22pm
6. 524455N 0014502E (OVERSEA) - 1.25pm
7. 521242N 0014600E (OVERSEA) - 1.32pm
8. 520512N 0012312E (VCY WOODBRIDGE AIRFIELD) - 1.35pm
9. 515524N 0005336E (VCY COLCHESTER) - 1.39pm
10. 513558N 0000555E (VCY WOODFORD) - 1.46pm
11. 513307N 0000058W (QUEEN ELISABETH OLYMPIC PARK) - 1.47pm
12. 513005N 0000830W (BUCKINGHAM PALACE) - 1.48pm
13. 512947N 0000918W (VCY BRENTFORD) - 1.50pm
14. 511609N 0002020W (E OF MICKLEHAM) - 1.52pm
15. 510753N 0010146W (SE OF BEECH) - 1.58pm
16. 510732N 0012935W (S OF LONGSTOCK) - 2.01pm
17. 504649N 0015029W (BOURNEMOUTH (EGHH) - 2.06pm

[foxfire]

I've previously watched flypasts on Waterloo Bridge but for the Jubilee was in the middle of the Hyde Park Corner roundabout where there was a big enough gap in the surrounding trees for a very good view.

[Rugbyref]

Better than Waterloo Bridge (no traffic) is the Millenium Bridge (aka wobbly bridge) as the view is side on above St Pauls. I have some great shots from earlier flypasts and will be there again on Monday.

[binbrook32]

Presumably now they have practiced it. A press release of what is in the event will be released before the weekend

[/quote]

Well, has there been any definitive information published?

From what I can ascertain, and from the practice, 23 -7 (heavies and escorts) - BBMF x3? = 13 "Typhoons and F-35s", one Lightning at Coningsby leaves 12x Typhoons. Just enough for an 80 formation?
Has there been a mass launch from CBY recently for a practice?

[Sw]

This is what I have seen in on the net this is one source but they are other similar

The RAF's X page have in last few flypast have done a CGI of the event usually at about 9.00am on the day

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/20500 ... ay-flypast

They make it 23 aircraft in total with NO single engine BBMF aircraft

[tornado17]

I counted the aircraft wave by wave in the article and only made it 20, that’s including the Reds as 9 aircraft. Can anyone account for the other 3?

[colt99]

I counted the aircraft wave by wave in the article and only made it 20, that’s including the Reds as 9 aircraft. Can anyone account for the other 3?

Is the Dakota back from Duxford yet ?
If so, Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota

[tornado17]

I counted the aircraft wave by wave in the article and only made it 20, that’s including the Reds as 9 aircraft. Can anyone account for the other 3?

Is the Dakota back from Duxford yet ?
If so, Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota

RAF webpage is stating no single engined aircraft but the Dakota could be one of the 3

[LimaHotel01]

I make it 23 (Lanc, five "heavies", eight fighters and nine Hawks)?

BFBS Forces News has the same types and quantities as the Express article, likely from the same RAF press release.

That said, I wonder if the four F-35s at the end with the Red Arrows is correct. That would give a total of six F-35s and only two Typhoons. Seems surprising, given the number of Typhoons in the practice last week and only nine F-35s remaining at Marham (not counting any that might arrive later today).

LH01

[Bobby 1211]

Other sources are saying 4x Typhoon with the reds

[Nighthawke]

BBMF Dakota was still at Duxford yesterday in Hangar 2. Not sure it's flown yet or indeed finished ground runs.

[colt99]

BBMF Dakota was still at Duxford yesterday in Hangar 2. Not sure it's flown yet or indeed finished ground runs.

Thanks Nighthawke