11 stunning images from the Royal Air Force capture views very few get to see
The winners and runners-up from the RAF Photographic Competition 2025 have been unveiled — and they’re stunning. The shots range from a flyover at Buckingham Palace to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day to new recruits celebrating their graduation into the Royal Air Force.
Pictured: People category, first-place winner. A vertigo-inducing snap taken on a GoPro on board a Tutor Aircraft at RAF Leeming in May 2025. The purpose of the flight was to take shots and video of the area surrounding RAF Leeming. (Picture: AS1 Richard Dilworth/RAF/SWNS)
RAF Operations and Exercises category, third place
The RAF said: ‘The RAF Photographic Competition showcases the skill, dedication, and spirit of our people. From aircraft in action to life on the ground, every shot tells a story.’
Pictured: Hawk T1 aircraft of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, flying over the Alps during a journey from their home unit of RAF Waddington to Zadar in Croatia. (Picture: AS1 Iwan Lewis/RAF/SWNS)
Technical/Engineering category, first place winner
A portrait of AS1 (T) Jason Williams who works at MTMS at RAF Benson, taken on May 29, 2025. The Mechanical Transport Management Squadron (MTMS) is responsible for the operation and maintenance of non-flying vehicles at the station, which provide essential ground support. (Picture: AS1 Nathan Evans/RAF/SWNS)
RAF Operations and Exercises category, highly commended
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Hawk T1 aircraft of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, performing ‘Tornado’ over the water during a display practice in Greece. The perfect formation is reflected in the vast blue canvas below, contrasted by the striking red of the planes. (Picture: AS1 Iwan Lewis/RAF/SWNS)
Current RAF Equipment category, third place
On May 5, 2025, a formation soared over Buckingham Palace as part of the celebrations commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day 80). The display – known as Windsor Formation – comprised of one Lancaster, one Voyager, one A400M Atlas, one C17 Globemaster, one P8 Poseidon, 6 Typhoons, 1 RC-135W Rivet Joint, two F35s and 9 Red Arrows. (Picture: AS1 Amelia Turnbull/RAF/SWNS)
People category, highly commended
A stunning image captures the moment recruits from Arnold Intake passed out on the Henderson Parade Square on October 1, marking their graduation. Gp Capt Henton was assigned as Reviewing Officer and inspected the parade throughout. (Picture: Miss Eleanor Kedge/RAF Halton /)
RAF Operations and Exercises category, first place
Hawk T1 aircraft of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, are pictured flying over the iconic Colosseum in Rome. The nine planes leave a trail of white smoke in their wake, providing a striking contrast of the old and the new. (Picture: AS1 Iwan Lewis/ RAF/SWNS)
RAF Operations and Exercises category, highly commended
A front view of a F-35B Lightning at RAF Marham in Cheongju, Republic of Korea airbase. The plane is a cutting-edge aircraft designed for air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, intelligence gathering, and electronic warfare. (Picture: AS1 Leah Jones/RAF / SWNS)
Current RAF Equipment category, second place
Pictured here is an angle of a Hawk TMk2 on a training sortie above the Mediterranean Sea that is usually only seen by a very exclusive group of people. The image was taken as part of Exercise Freedom Hawk on Tuesday, March11, 2025. (Picture: AS1 Alex Naughalty/RAF/SWNS)
Current RAF Equipment category, first place
This image shows the almost unbelievable manoeuvre of air-to-air refuelling between the A400M and the Voyager. The two planes fly close enough to one another that a line can connect the two and fuel is transferred between the aircrafts, delaying the need to land and increasing flight range. (Picture: Cpl Beth Roberts/RAF/SWNS)
RAF Sport category, first place
Photos taken between March 24 and March 28 captured the RAF Falcons parachute display team doing their UK practice jumps over Little Rissington airfield. Here, one member of the team can be seen standing in a cloud of red smoke having completed the jump. (Picture: AS1 Riley Allison/RAF/SWNS) Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
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