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The sounds of jet aircraft and the sight of men in RAF uniform are as common as
tulips in this part of rural Lincolnshire, which is home to the world’s
first-ever training school for fly-boys, the Royal Air Force College.
RAFC Cranwell started as Royal Naval Air Station Daedalus in 1916 to train naval
officers to fly BE2C, Sopwith Pup, Maurice Farman, F7, airships and observer
kite balloons. The first flight in the UK of an aircraft powered by Frank
Whittle's jet engine was at Cranwell on 15 May 1941. One of many
Royal Air Force stations in
Lincolnshire.
Nearby is the
Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre, a small centre providing historical
information about the nearby historic airfield. A Jet Provost and the nose of a
Vampire Jet are on display. Located to the south of RAF Cranwell and signposted
off the A17.
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RAFC Cranwell is also the
headquarters of the world’s finest formation
flying squadron, the indomitable Red Arrows.
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