RAF issues fascinating photos of the history of the world's first air force as it celebrates its centenary

'Through adversity to the stars'

100 years ago today the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service merged to create the Royal Air Force

A selection of pictures, marking the one hundredth anniversary of the Royal Air Force, have been released

From Spitfire dog fights above London to daring Dambuster raids in the depths of Nazi-occupied Germany

Witness the highs, the lows and the heroism of the airmen that defended Britain's interests in times of crisis

While Britannia once ruled the waves, today it is in the air that Britain reigns supreme, as the Royal Air force celebrates its centenary.

Battle tested and the admired around the world, it was 100 years ago, on April 1 1918, that the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service merged to create the RAF.

From Spitfire dog fights above London's famous landmarks to daring Dambuster raids and F-35 stealth fighter jets, the RAF was born amid the bloodiest war and swung the pendulum of victory in the favour of the Allied forces.

Now, a selection of pictures, marking the 100th anniversary of the RAF have been released, highlighting the highs, the lows and the heroism of countless airmen and women who defended Britain's interests in times of crisis.

Pictures, marking the centenary of the RAF have been released, highlighting the highs, the lows and the heroism of countless airmen who defended Britain in times of crisis - including a Tornado F3 from RAF Leuchars (111 Sqn) firing defensive flares during OP TELIC in 2003


A Sycamore helicopter of 103 Squadron based at Nicosia, Cyprus, flying over St Hilarian Castle near Kyrenia on the north of the island in July 1961


De Haviland Mosquito FB.VIs of 248 Squadron attacking a German 'M' Class minesweeper and two trawler-type auxiliaries in the mouth of the Gironde River, off Royan, France. One of the fastest operational aircraft in the world. Mosquito bombers flew high-speed, medium or low-altitude missions against factories, railways and other pinpoint targets in Germany and German-occupied Europe


The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team - the Red Arrows - approaching the Mall, towards Buckingham Palace, part of the celebrations for the Queens Birthday in 2016. Crowds lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the red BAE T1 Hawk jets


Armourers preparing the full complement of 112lb RL bombs needed for the night bombing operations by the F.E.2Bs of 149 Squadron at St Omer, France, on 18 July 1918


An Army instructor teaching men of the newly-formed RAF Aerodrome Defence Corps on the Thompson sub-machine gun at Whitley Bay, Northumberland, in January 1942 


Three Fairey IIIFs J9796, J9809 and J9802 of 47 Squadron on the Blue Nile at Khartoum before departing for a series of exploratory flights over Southern Sudan


Photo captures two Hawker Hart light bombers of 39 Squadron at Miranshah on the North West Frontier, Pakistan in 1938


Avro Lancaster B.I of 44 Squadron running up its engines in a dispersal at Dunholme Lodge, Lincolnshire, before setting out on a night raid to Berlin in early January 1944


The Guard of Honour saluting King George V on his arrival at Mildenhall, Suffolk, for the Silver Jubilee Review of the Royal Air Force in 1935

More on this story - Visit The Daily Mail

blizzard descending on the capital - Pictures

shows a blizzard descending on the capital

• Time-lapse captures the snowfall across London in stunning high definition
• Peering across the river and into the city, it shows London blanketed by snowfall
• Footage shows camera lens shrouded by a blizzard as the Beast from the East hit
• But despite the pristine snow some Londoners faced an uphill battle to work 

This stunning time-lapse video captures London's skyline before and after the heavy snowfall. 

Peering across the river and into the city, the footage shows London during the daytime before emerging overnight covered in a thick blanket of snow.

Footage shows the camera lens shrouded by a blizzard as the Beast from the East hit, leaving pristine white snow painted across the capital's buildings and rooftops.

--

+6

Snow has left London covered in a blanket of snow this morning, with Canary Wharf visible in the background

+6

Peering across the river and into the city, the footage shows London during the daytime before emerging overnight covered in a fresh blanket of snow

In the time-lapse video, you can see snow cover London in a thick white blanket, with the Shard, Walkie Talkie, Gherkin and South Bank clearly visible.

The footage was filmed from 127m above street level. Guests at Novotel London Canary Wharf where it was filmed were able to enjoy the same incredible views.

But while the skyline was beautiful, Londoners themselves faced an uphill battle to get into work amid the ice and slush.

Commuters found there were major problems on the Central line, District line and Piccadilly line on the London Underground this morning.

The District line faced severe delays between Edgware Road and Wimbledon due to a signal failure caused by ice and snow. 

On the Central line there was no service between Loughton and Epping and between Hainault and Woodford plus severe delays on the rest of the line due to faulty trains. 

+6

Footage shows the camera lens shrouded by a blizzard as the Beast from the East hit, leaving pristine white snow painted across the capital's buildings and roof tops

+6

In the time-lapse video, you can see snow cover London in a thick white blanket, with the Shard, Walkie Talkie, Gherkin and South Bank clearly visible

Elsewhere police and fire services across Britain have had to rescue stranded vehicles and deal with crashes as several more inches of snow fell in some parts - amid warnings from the Met Office of a 'potential risk to life and property'.   

There are also warnings of disruption to trains, with affected operators including c2c, Greater Anglia and Stansted Express, ScotRail, Southeastern, Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express, South Western Railway, TfL Rail and London Overground, according to National Rail Enquiries.

+6

The footage was filmed from 127m above street level. Guests at Novotel London Canary Wharf where it was filmed were able to enjoy the same incredible views

+6

People walk in the snow on Westminster Bridge in London today, with the London Eye visible in the background

Network Rail South East tweeted: 'Our teams have been out all night but despite their efforts we do have some problems this morning. Please check before you travel today.'   

Forecasters predict the snow and freezing temperatures will not be letting up any time soon, prompting the Met Office to extend some of its weather warnings.

An amber warning for 'potential risk to life and property' for much of the north of England and Scotland is in place until 6pm, while another covering London, the East Midlands and the east of England is in force until 10am.

A yellow warning covering vast swathes of the UK runs until just before midnight.  

Britain's Martian sky: Hurricane Ophelia creates ghostly phenomenon in the skies as Saharan dust is carried on 80mph winds across the Atlantic

Britain was cast in an eerie Martian gloom as Saharan dust whipped across the Atlantic by Hurricane Ophelia shrouded the sun turning skies over the nation red.

The storm is believed to have picked up dust from North Africa and debris from forest fires in Spain and Portugal as it travelled towards the UK. 

Skies over London have been covered in a murky orange haze as the desert dust mixes with clouds, offering Londoners a stark contrast to the grey that usually greets them at this time of year.

Scroll down for video 

+22

BRISTOL: The storm is believed to have picked up dust from the Sahara and debris from forest fires in Spain and Portugal

+22

WESTMINSTER: The sky over central London is turned orange as the remains of Hurricane Ophelia whips up dust from the Sahara desert

+22

LONDON: The Shard is clouded by an orange haze and the sun burns bright in the skies over central London today

+22

LONDON: The capital's skyline is basked in an orange glow in a stark contrast to the usual grey weather Londoners are met with at this time of year

....

Her Majesty The Queen becomes the first monarch to reign for 65 years - Sapphire Jubilee

The Queen today marks her Sapphire Jubilee as she becomes the first British monarch in history to have reigned for 65 years.

To mark her latest milestone, a poignant photograph of her wearing a suite of sapphire jewellery given to her by her father King George VI as a wedding gift in 1947 has been issued.

Sapphire is the 65th anniversary gemstone and the King’s gift to his eldest daughter, then Princess Elizabeth, featured a glittering necklace, dating from 1850 and made of 16 large oblong sapphires surrounded by diamonds, with a pair of matching sapphire and diamond drop earrings.

The Queen has added a sapphire and diamond tiara - made from a necklace that originally belonged to Princess Louise of Belgium - and a bracelet in 1963 to the collection to compliment the original sentimental pieces.

She had the necklace shortened and the largest stone made into a pendant.

To mark her latest milestone, a poignant photograph of her wearing a suite of sapphire jewellery given to her by her father King George VI as a wedding gift in 1947 has been issued

The newly released portrait was taken by David Bailey in 2014, for the Government’s ‘Great’ campaign, which aims to promote the UK abroad.

‘She has very kind eyes with a mischievous glint,’ he said at the time. ‘I’ve always liked strong women, and she is a very strong woman.’

Despite the historic occasion, it was a sense of ‘business as usual’ yesterday as Her Majesty went to church and chatted with well-wishers on the eve of her

‘Back to London this week,’ the 90 year old monarch said as she thanked veteran Royal fan Mary Relph, who had handed her two red roses outside St Peter and St Paul church in West Newton on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

Source Daily Mail

Google 3D now lets users explore London's buildings using 45-degree aerial imagery

More on this story......:

Landmarks including the Shard and St Paul’s Cathedral are available in 3D

The map also reveals 3D terrains and landscapes across the capital 

3D images appear as users zoom in on Google Maps or Google Earth

Once the 3D building appears, users can pan, zoom, tilt and rotate 

Clicking a 3D building reveals more information about the selected location

Ever wanted to fly over the Shard, circle Trafalgar Square or swoop onto St Paul’s Cathedral’s famous dome? Well now you can. 

From today, you can explore London in greater detail after its buildings were made available in 3D on Google Maps and Google Earth. 

Using 45-degree aerial imagery, Google was able to recreate the capital’s landscape, landmarks and terrains in 3D. 

+5

Google has added London landmarks including the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (pictured in the foreground) as well as terrains and landscapes across the capital to its 3D mapping service

This means every building, and not just the famous landmarks, are included to provide a much more accurate and realistic view of the city.

The 3D images appear as users zoom into London on Google Maps or Google Earth.

Once the 3D building appears, users can pan, zoom, tilt, and rotate to see the whole location.

London is the the fifth city in the UK to be recreated in 3D on Google Maps.

The others include Birmingham, Leeds, Reading and Stoke on Trent.

A tour of 3D buildings is available from Google Earth’s blog. 

This features cathedrals, castles and palaces, art museums, baseball and football stadiums and skyscrapers.

Highlights include the Shanghai World Financial Centre in China, Johannisburg Palace in Germany and Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York.

• SHARE PICTURE

+5

The 3D images (Tower Bridge and the Shard are pictured) appear as users zoom into London on Google Maps or Google Earth. Once the 3D building appears, users can pan, zoom, tilt and rotate to see the whole location

+5

London (the London Eye and Westminster Bridge is pictured) is the the fifth city in the UK to be recreated in 3D on Google Maps. The others include Birmingham, Leeds, Reading and Stoke on Trent

In 2006, Google began adding texture to 3D buildings in Google Earth before adding 3D models to areas from June 2012. 

Designers on Google Earth begin by using grey blocky buildings from geographic information system data.

They then replace the grey buildings, with models created using tools such as Sketchup.

Trees are then automatically generated, based on the size and shape of what's visible in the photos. 

+5

Google began adding texture to 3D buildings in Google Earth in 2006, before adding 3D models from June 2012. Designers on Google Earth begin by using grey blocky buildings They then replace the grey buildings, with models created using tools such as Sketchup. Buckingham Palace is pictured

+5

A tour of 3D buildings is available from Google Earth's blog. This features cathedrals, castles and palaces, art museums, baseball and football stadiums and skyscrapers. The City of London, including the Gherkin, is pictured

Going to Camden Lock? Hop on the DRAIN:

Going to Camden Lock? Hop on the DRAIN: Famous north London canal has water emptied for maintenance work (and you can walk on the bottom this weekend)

• Bottom set of lock gates are being replaced as part of £130,000 scheme at Regent's Canal
• Part of £45m countrywide scheme to refurbish hundreds of historic waterways
• Public will have chance to walk on base of lock during open-day event this weekend

By NICK ENOCH - Daily Mail

Pop down to Camden Market in north London and you'll probably find somewhere you can buy spanners and knives... but you'll also find them at the bottom of its famous canal.

These were just some of the items discovered this week when Camden Lock was drained for maintenance as part of a £45million countrywide project to keep the country's canal system in good working order.

And the many tourists and students who visit the area this weekend are in for a treat as they will get the chance to venture to the bottom of the drained chamber of the Regent's Canal.

As part of the £130,000 refurbishment work at the site - also known as Hampstead Road Lock - engineers are replacing both sets of lock gates, as well as carrying out brickwork repairs, repointing and timberwork.

A maintenance worker sweeps away silt as Camden Lock in north London is drained as part of a restoration programme

Loose change, a spanner and kitchen knives were among the objects found at the bottom of the lock during its £130,000 renovation

People who visit Camden Market this weekend are in for a treat as they will get the chance to venture to the bottom of the drained chamber on the Regent's Canal

A spokesman for the Canal & River Trust, which is overseeing the project, said: 'This programme will kick-start our series of open days and you'll be able to visit this works site, meet our experts and even take a tour into the bottom of the drained lock chamber.

'The free family-friendly event offers you a rare chance to see an incredible feat of engineering from a totally new perspective. Lock gates last for about 25 years and so this opportunity won't come around again soon.'

More...

• GONDOLA Street View: Google lets armchair explorers drift along Venice's winding canals and explore its narrow streets

Around 2,000 miles of canals and rivers across England and Wales are cared for by the Trust, whose scheme will involve the restoration of hundreds of historic waterways. The Camden project is one of 14 open day events happening across the UK.

The locks in Camden were constructed between 1818 and 1820 by James Morgan and it is the only twin lock remaining on the canal.

The Canal & River Trust carries out year-round works to maintain canals and rivers so they can be enjoyed by 33,000 boats and 10million towpath visitors each year. Above, the lock is drained

Around 2,000 miles of canals and rivers across England and Wales are cared for by the Canal & River Trust, which is overseeing the £45m restoration of hundreds of historic waterways

The open event, where members of the public can walk on the bottom of the canal this weekend, is expected to be very popular and entry to the locks will be limited

The bottom set of lock gates are being replaced as they are old and worn, having been there for 25 years

TAKE A LOCK AROUND...

The locks were constructed between 1818 and 1820 by James Morgan. 

It is the only twin-lock remaining on the canal. 

The current locks are Grade II-listed and replaced an innovative, but unsuccessful, lock system designed by William Congreve to try to conserve water.

The lock is to the west of the Camden High Street road bridge. 

The yard and former warehouses, an area known as Camden Lock, are on the north side of the canal, at the junction with Chalk Farm Road. 

This area is adjacent to a canal basin and holds Camden Lock Market, one of the group of markets known as Camden Market. 

Many of the projects are carried out during winter to minimise the impact on waterway users.

Richard Parry, chief executive of Trust, told the Evening Standard: 'By showcasing this work to the public we can give them a glimpse of the craftsmanship of the waterways’ original 18th century design and the scale of the work we do to care for it.'

As one of the most popular free attractions in London, the Camden Lock area will no doubt have heavy footfall tomorrow and Sunday, especially in the run-up to Christmas. 

The event is expected to be very popular and entry to the locks will be limited.

Therefore, you will be required to book onto a tour when you arrive, and will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

Graham Smith, construction supervisor at the site, said: 'We're replacing the bottom set of lock gates on lock 1 bay. It's old and worn, and has been there 25 years. They leak and need to retain water.

'We're drilling so that we can take out the drop pot, which is like the hinge for a door. It  takes the weight of the water, thousands of tonnes of it.

'The process involves putting a timber dam in place and overpumping the water to allow for the removal of the lock gates, before replacing them.

'The refurbishment is important to keep canal traffic moving.'

The Trust carries out year-round works to maintain canals and rivers so they can be enjoyed by 33,000 boats and 10 million towpath visitors each year.

For more information on open day events, go to the Canal & River Trust website.

The locks were constructed between 1818 and 1820 by James Morgan and it is the only twin lock remaining on the canal. Above, some of the objects found in the silt

All you need to know about the Camden Lock gate replacement

How it normally looks: A narrowboat tour at Camden Lock

A map showing where canal works are taking place in west London

Tube station: Secret command centre used by Winston Churchill goes up for sale

• Brompton Road Underground station up for sale to raise funds for troops
• The Royal Artillery ran its anti-aircraft operations room there
• Winston Churchill used command centre to watch over Luftwaffe battle 

It was a top secret command centre set up by Winston Churchill to defend London from German aircraft during the Second World War.

Deep inside Brompton Road Underground station, the Royal Artillery ran its anti-aircraft operations room tasked with blasting enemy bombers from the skies in the Blitz.

The bunker is also thought to be where Rudolf Hess, Adolf Hitler's deputy in the Nazi Party, was brought to be interrogated after being captured in Scotland in 1941.

The disused London Underground Brompton Road Station contains a drill hall, garages, offices and mess as well as underground rooms, staircases and tunnels.

Landmark: The building features the oxblood-red tiled facade and semi-circular windows typical of architect Leslie Green's style

But now the Ministry of Defence is selling off the 28,000 sq ft 'ghost station' in a bid to raise up to £60million for frontline troops.

The property at 206 Brompton Road in central London is currently occupied by the London University Air Squadron, the London University Royal Naval Unit and 46F Squadron Air Training Corps.

More...

• It’ll cost you a bomb! Cold War missile silo converted into luxurious £2m property complete with private runway and vast underground living quarters goes on sale
• Finally laid to rest 95 years on, 21 German soldiers found perfectly preserved in trench where they were buried alive by Allied shell

The property - close to the world-famous Harrods department store in Knightsbridge - contains a drill hall, garages, offices and mess as well as underground rooms, staircases and tunnels that were part of the former Brompton Road Underground.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), responsible for the management and maintenance of Ministry of Defence land and property, is selling the building having deemed it 'surplus to military requirement'.

Secretive: Churchill is believed to have visited the command centre to watch over the command of the battle against the Luftwaffe

Ghost station: The historic 28,000 sq ft building is being sold off by the MoD in a bid to help raise £60m for frontline troops

Developers have expressed interest in turning the Tube station into a tourist attraction with restaurants and bars.

Brompton Road Tube opened in 1906 by the Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway (GNP&BR) on the Piccadilly Line, positioned between Knightsbridge and South Kensington.

The building was designed by English architect Leslie Green and features his distinctive oxblood-red tiled facade and semi-circular first floor windows.

New life: 'Boris bikes' are seen lined up outside the Leslie Green-designed station in Knightsbridge as it looks today

Historic links: The former Underground station and WWII command centre could be transformed into a tourist attraction

Located at the junction of Brompton Road and Cottage Place, the station was convenient for the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Brompton Oratory, but still saw little traffic.

It was permanently closed in 1934 after it was finally deemed to be too close to the neighbouring stations to be economically viable.

The station was taken over by the War Office to be used as a command centre for the defence of London.

Not viable: The station was conveniently located for Brompton Oratory (pictured), but did not see a lot of traffic through its doors

Attractions: Brompton Road was also close to the Victoria & Albert Museum (pictured), and Harrods, but was closed permanently as a station in 1934 because it was too close to neighbouring Tube stops

Piece of history: Churchill is believed to have visited the command centre to watch over the command of the battle against the Luftwaffe

It was from here that the gun batteries dotted around London were coordinated as they tried to shoot down enemy planes during World War Two.

HIDDEN HISTORY: LONDON'S UNDERGROUND GHOST STATIONS

There are understood to be 32 ghost stations across London's underground network, abandoned over the years as lines were diverted or the number of passengers passing through dwindled.

Like Brompton Road, many of the stations have links to the Second World War. Down Street - last used as a station in May 1932, became an air raid shelter after the war broke out, and Aldwych was used by thousands of Londoners during the Blitz.

The empty station in Westminster has been used as a location for films including Atonement, V for Vendetta, Superman 4 and 28 Weeks Later.

Other abandoned stations still remain at City Road, which was on the Northern Line until it closed its doors in 1922, Marlborough Road, which was on the Metropolitan Line, and South Kentish Town, which closed in 1924.

Churchill is believed to have visited the command centre to watch over the command of the battle against the Luftwaffe.

It was vacated by the War Office in the 1950s but seventy years on the Ministry of Defence still owns it to a depth of about 60ft underground.

The MoD’s jurisdiction ends at a locked gate and beyond this Tube trains still run on the Piccadilly Line.

But evidence of the Royal Artillery's operations centre remains in remarkable condition. Maps of London still hang from the walls of the war room.

The station retains period features including a distinctive brown and green tiling pattern and electrical switch gear.

John Taylor, estates surveyor for DIO, said: 'The MOD keeps the size and location of its bases under constant review to ensure the defence estate is no larger than necessary to meet operational needs and provides value for money for the taxpayer.'

Simon Hodson, of Jones Lang LaSalle estate agents, which is marketing the building, said: 'This site provides an excellent redevelopment opportunity and we are expecting a high level of interest from a variety of purchasers when we bring this to the market in September.'

Daily Mail