#SP250 HM the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Flypast Print
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. SP250 - Her Majesty the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Flypast, London, 2 June 2022.
Between the 2nd and 5th of June 2022, the United Kingdom will officially celebrate Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee marking her 70 years on the throne, and another iconic milestone as the longest serving Monarch in the history of the United Kingdom. Following Trooping the Colour, which returns to Horse Guards Parade following the COVID 19 restrictions of 2020-2021, the Tri-Service Flypast, WINDSOR Formation will present to Her Majesty during the traditional appearance of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as the aircraft fly down The Mall. Leading the formation is SEACAT Formation of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm with Wildcat HMA2 and Merlin HM2, followed by VANGUARD Formation from 1 Army Aviation Brigade formed of Wildcat AH1 and Apache AH1, followed in turn by COMMANDO Formation comprising Wildcat HMA2 and Merlin HC4 of the Commando Helicopter Force. Completing Joint Helicopter Command’s participation is VORTEX Formation comprising three Puma HC2s and three Chinooks from the Royal Air Force. The fixed wing elements are led by MEMORIAL Formation with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Hurricane and Spitfire fighters accompanying the Lancaster. CAMEL Formation comprising a Phenom T1 from 3 Flying Training School at RAF Cranwell and Texan T1s of 72(F) Squadron / 4 Flying Training School based at RAF Valley follow, ahead of the larger aircraft of the Air Mobility Force from RAF Brize Norton. OMEN Formation, comprising three C-130 Hercules, marks the last year of operational service of the type with the Royal Air Force before its planned withdrawal from service in 2023. GRIZZLY Formation, an A400M Atlas C1 then leads a C-17A Globemaster III, demonstrating the Royal Air Force’s airlift capability, including the support of the UK’s humanitarian efforts around the globe as well as the transportation of military freight and personnel. The new Poseidon MRA1 maritime patrol aircraft based at RAF Lossiemouth makes its debut over London in formation, callsign STINGRAY, with the RC-135 from RAF Waddington as the Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting, Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Force contribution. TARTAN Formation follows, comprising a Voyager Multi-Role Tanker flanked by a Typhoon FGR4 and F-35B Lightning simulating air-to-air refuelling, followed by MADRAS Formation comprising a second Voyager, wearing a special livery used for VIP duties, together with F-35B Lightning aircraft from RAF Marham where Her Majesty the Queen is the Station’s Honorary Air Commodore. Four Hawk T2s from RAF Valley flying as PAGAN Formation then lead the signature “70” Typhoon formation made up of WARLORD and COBRA Formations flown by pilots from across the Typhoon Force based at RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth in a special tribute to Her Majesty the Queen. Finally, the skies are filled with the distinctive red, white and blue smoke of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the RED ARROWS, to commemorate this unique occasion. The flypast would not be possible without additional support and planning from a variety of Air Traffic agencies and the support of London City and London Heathrow Airports as well as the numerous support personnel who enable the aircraft to fly.
Please note: this print was produced according to the (official) plan a few weeks in advance of the actual flypast. Aircraft formations might have changed due to operation reasons.