Second Edition
The Royal Air Force was founded on 1 April 1918, born of the First World War achievements of the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps. This illustrated history traces the development of the Royal Air Force from the early days through to the effects of the Strategic Defence Review 1998, and beyond.
For more than 80 years the RAF has played a vital defence role in continually changing circumstances. Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Armitage served in the RAF for 43 years. He has been a part of many of the events he describes. He records not just the history of the Service, but how that history came about. Throughout, he offers his analysis of the wider strategy, of decisions made, the aircraft procured, and the men who flew them. This paperback, second edition of 'The Royal Air Force' has been further updated to bring this informed and informative history to the close of the twentieth century.
