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The
Typhoon displays will be provided by 29(R)
Squadron - the Typhoon operational conversion unit. The Typhoon is an agile, single seat, multi-role aircraft optimised for high
altitude supersonic air combat but also capable of operating at much lower
levels in the air-to-ground roles. It is built by a four-nation consortium
comprised of companies from the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain. The state-of-the
art aircraft is set to be the RAF's major front-line type for many years to
come, replacing the RAF's Tornado F3 fighters and Jaguar fighter-bombers in
front-line service.
No 29 Squadron was formed at Gosport on 7 November 1915.
It's first type was the DH2 and operated a variety
of types such as the Neuiport 17 and SE5A before
disbanding on 31
December 1919. On 1 April 1923, No 29 reformed as a fighter squadron at Duxford
with Snipes, then Grebes, Siskins, Bulldogs and finally Demons i before
converting converted to Blenheims in December
1938. On At the outbreak of World War Two these were used for patrols
over shipping and for early trials with airborne radar. No 29 became
fully involved in night fighting, beginning to receive Beaufighters in
November 1940. Its defensive role remained after conversion to
Mosquitoes in May 1943,.
The Mosquitoes continued to serve until replaced by Meteors in
August 1951 at Tangmere. In July 1958 the swuadron converted to Javelins. In May 1967,
Lightnings joined the squadron before disbanding again
on 31 December 1974. No
29 reformed at Coningsby as a Phantom squadron on 1 January 1975. The Squadron swapped its Phantoms for Tornado F3 fighters in 1987
remaining at Coningsby until disbanded in October 1998.
29(R) Squadron began reforming in September 2003 at BAE Systems’ aerodrome at
Warton. In June 2005 the Squadron officially moved to its home base at
RAF Coningsby and by July it was teaching new pilots for 17(R) Squadron
on a formal course. Bucking the trend of recent squadron disbandments,
29(R) Squadron officially ‘stood up’ for operational service on 4
November 2005. For 29(R) Squadron it heralded a long and
healthy future, one that seems certain to last until the centenary and
beyond.
This years display pilot is Flt Lt Charlie Matthews. More details to follow.
Official
Website: http://www.typhoondisplay.com
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