The Red Arrows, military and Second World War-era aircraft will fly over the capital on Bank Holiday Monday – the first of a four-day celebration to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day
A military flypast to celebrate 80 years since VE Day is planned to take place on 5 May. On the first of four days of national celebrations to mark the end of the Second World War in Europe, the skies over central London will be left red, white and blue as the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows soar over the capital.
It will take place after a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace involving more than 1,300 members of the UK Armed Forces, uniformed services, and young people.
Military aircraft, including the Voyager transport aircraft, a P8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft, Typhoon, and F-35 fighter jets, will also be involved in the flypast, as well as historic Second World War-era aircraft.
The flypast will reach The Mall and Buckingham Palace at around 1.45pm on Bank Holiday Monday, but you do not have to be in London to catch a glimpse.
The planes are due to go over parts of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Buckinghamshire, Cheshire and Oxfordshire.
The flypast route has been split into zones, each with a time slot when airspace is restricted. The following is the period when the planes are due to be overhead:
Area A: North Sea, Suffolk and Norfolk, between 10.45am – 1.45pm
Area B: East Suffolk (Saxmundham) and Suffolk (East Bergholt), between 12.15pm – 1.10pm
Area C: Suffolk (East Bergholt) and Essex (Colchester), between 12.20pm – 1.10pm
Area D: Essex (Colchester and Witham), between 12.20pm – 1.10pm
Area E: Essex (Witham) and London City, between 12.25pm – 1.10pm
Area F: London City and London Heathrow, between 12.25pm – 1.10pm
Area G: Buckinghamshire (Denham) and Cheshire (Halton), between 12.45pm – 1.25pm
Area H: Cheshire (Halton) and Oxfordshire (Brize), between 12.45pm – 1.25pm
Area I: North west London, between 12.45pm – 1.25pm
Rehearsing for the flypast on 29 April, the RAF said aircraft including Typhoons, A400M Atlas, C-17 Globemaster and Rivet Joint practiced formations.
They flew over RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, with the site’s College Hall standing in for Buckingham Palace.
Flypast mission commander Andrew Watson said he expects the actual flypast to be a “good spectacle for the nation and Commonwealth”.
Mark Jackson, the flypast senior responsible officer, said: “I was reviewing the flypast from a safety and execution perspective, ensuring the timings, spacings, and overall structure were on track for the special VE Day 80 celebrations. “It’s a great honour to be part of the events to remember those who served our nation 80 years ago.”
Two-minute national silence
A two-minute national silence will be held on Thursday at 12 noon, to remember and thank those who fought for our freedom.
The silence will be marked by all UK Government departments, which will also fly the Union Flag at full-mast. Other organisations are invited to follow suit if they wish.
