For this week’s penultimate blog post counting down to the 2014 Farnborough Airshow, we take a look at how the airshow has been a place where the UK and other major air forces around the world have come to showcase (and show off!) their latest military developments.

V Bombers –Valiant and Victor

Whilst the Vulcan is perhaps the most famous British V-Bomber, the Handley Page Victor and the Vickers Valiant both played a significant role in making up the UK’s cold war nuclear deterrent in the 1950’s and 60s. Both swept winged and four-engined to meet the required specifications, the Valiant was the first V Bomber to take to the skies, and also dropped the UK’s first test hydrogen bomb. The Victor developed from a nuclear bomber to a RAF tanker aircraft, and was vital for the Black Buck raids over the Falklands in 1982. It was the longest serving of the V Bombers. Both aircraft were debuted at the airshow, and showcased the UK’s strong military aerospace manufacturing capabilities in long range nuclear bombers.

Here is footage of the 1951 airshow which the first Valiant prototype is displayed (58 secs and 1 minute 30 seconds).

And here is footage from Farnborough 1953 where the Victor was displayed at the show (29 seconds and 1 min 23 seconds)

Hawker Hunter

The Hawker Hunter was both a British and global success story. The fighter, turned fighter-bomber, reconnaissance aircraft and then two-seater trainer was exported around the world and saw active service in over 20 different air forces. The aircraft’s versatility as well as its speed meant it was a popular aircraft to fly, and also formed the pre-cursor to the Red Arrows – the Black Arrows. In 1958, the Hunters set a world record by performing a 22 aircraft loop at the Farnborough Airshow. Click here to watch a video of Hunters in formation and low flying at the airshow in 1957, or click here if you just want to experience the aircraft’s famous ‘Blue Note’.

MiG 29

The MiG 29 ‘Fulcrum’ is a highly successful jet fighter designed in the 1970s and remains in production for the Russian Air Force today. Over 1,500 have been built and in 2006 the aircraft visited the airshow to showcase its vector-thrust capabilities and demonstrate some of the most break taking maneuverers ever witnessed at Farnborough. That 2006 display can be viewed below.

F-22 Raptor

The Raptor made its air show debut in 2008, having been introduced into the US Air Force only 3 years earlier, and wowed the crowds with its ‘stealthy’ looks and impressive agility during its display. Primarily developed as an air superiority fighter, the F-22 has both ground attack and electronic warfare capabilities and remains the most technologically advanced aircraft in the world in active service. The USAF brought the F-22 not to demonstrate its capabilities to future customers (the F-22 had an export ban placed on it) but to showcase the US’s ability to develop and produce the world’s first ever 5th generation fighter.

Here is the Raptor’s 2008 display at Farnborough: