A History of the Kings Flight & Queens Flight

The Queen's Flight
ISBN 1-903953-32-4
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A chronicle of the activities, aircraft and key personnel of the elite RAF unit dedicated to the air transport of the British Royal Family from 1936-1995

Illustrated with many historic photographs this chronicle of the activities, aircraft and key personnel of the King's Flight and the Queen's Flight since the first Royal Flight was established in 1936 contains a wealth of information that could prove a valuable resource for historians, researchers or journalists interested in the history and functions of the Royal Flights but is also an enjoyable read for anyone interested in the Royal family or the history of aviation.

The royal flights of the Royal Air Force have a unique place in the history of aviation.

Established in 1936 during the reign of King Edward VIII, The King’s Flight was charged with the duty of transporting members of the Royal Family by air on short-haul and long-haul flights. Some members of the Royal family were also taught to fly. 

Renamed The Queen’s Flight when HRH Queen Elizabeth came to the throne in 1952, this unique unit of the RAF continued with its duties until its disbandment in 1995.

During this time, a wide variety of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters were called into service as aviation technology progressed and many thousands of miles were flown to destinations within the United Kingdom and further afield, eventually spanning the globe.

Service with the royal flights was considered a great honour and is consequently remembered with pride and affection by all those who spent time within its ranks. In this book, a wide variety of King’s Flight and Queen’s Flight veterans recall their favourite moments, and between them they tell the whole story of royal flying, “from the hangar floor upwards”, recollecting all facets of life on ‘the flight’ during its 60-year lifespan.

There are also individual profiles of all the former commanders of the flights and many of its prominent personnel.

Compiled by Derek Sowerby & Jack Frost as a reference document by The Queen’s Flight Association as a tribute to former members of the Royal Flights, this book will also be of great interest to aviation historians, those who take an interest in the Royal Family and general readers curious to know what went on behind the scenes in this unique unit of the Royal Air Force.

Prince Albert flying an Avro 504J.

Prince Charles learning to fly

Prince Charles learning to fly.

Queen's Flight Wessex at Balmoral.

QF Wessex helicopter at Balmoral.

QF Chipmunk flight trainer.

QF De Haviland Rapide..

details: softback | 205 x 290 mm | 240 pages | many mono and colour photos
genre: military history / RAF history
themes: The King's Flight | The Queen's Flight
readership: military historians / aviation enthusiasts / general readers