For 100 years, the world's oldest independent air force, the RAF, forged
a distinguished record in military air operations from the First World
War through to recent operations over Iraq and Syria. There is, however,
a field of endeavor in which the Royal Air Force has excelled: selling
its public image. Of the three armed services, the air force is the one
perfectly placed to advertise its wares 'at home' with the facilities to
accommodate large audiences, through scintillating flying displays with
ever more impressive aircraft and large airfields with readily available
facilities. Originally centered on the RAF station at Hendon in North
London, the RAF held its first public 'Air Pageant' in 1920. A grand
affair, it continued as an annual event until 1937 when it was succeeded
by the wide spread 'Empire Air Day' held at several RAF stations until
war intervened in 1939. The RAF came to true military prominence during
the Second World War, particularly the 'Battle of Britain'; this then
became the focus of the celebration and commemoration. However, the
Battle of Britain Displays constantly contracted, eventually to zero,
but for much of their existence were the most impressive air shows
around the globe.
