Coventry paid tribute to the Royal Air Force in a weekend of events as part of nationwide centenary celebrations.
Thousands of people visited a sun-soaked Broadgate in the city centre to see a Red Arrows Hawk and an array of military vehicles and displays.
Coventry Airport also played host to nine historic aircrafts.
The event was one of a series of RAF100 events taking place across the UK and it culminated in a lunch for 100 dignitaries hosted by the Lord Mayor, John Blundell, and Sir Peter Rigby at St Mary’s Guildhall followed by a service of celebration at Coventry Cathedral.
A special-edition red, white and blue RAF100 Aston Martin, RAF100 vehicles manned by military personnel, an RAF Regiment Display, the University of Birmingham Air Squadron, the RAF STEM team and RAF recruitment officers drew in thousands to the centre of the city.
Sir Peter Rigby, chairman and chief executive of the Rigby Group said: “We owe so much to the men and women, past and present, who have defended and furthered our nation’s interests in all corners of the world and who continue to do so today.
“From a peak strength of just under one million men and women in uniform in 1945, it falls now to thirty-one thousand personnel to deliver the wide array of capabilities with its complex technologies, constant and ever-sophisticated threats, not to mention financial pressures in this uncertain world.”
Sir Peter also paid tribute to Sir Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine, who was born in Earlsdon and whose work was commemorated throughout the event.
“Without Whittle’s genius and perseverance we would have been grossly disadvantaged in the air and would not be the major player today in the aero-engine business,” he added.
“Whittle’s original jet engine and his story was displayed in Broadgate in the city centre courtesy of the Midland Aviation Museum which today is its permanent home.”
The Lord Mayor of Coventry, councillor John Blundell, whose father served in the RAF, said it was fitting the event took place close to Coventry Cathedral.
“Our Cathedral and the Ruins alongside stand as a reminder of the horrors of war and the bravery of those who served,” he said.
“And today they are known around the world as a symbol of our work towards peace and reconciliation – work supported so well by the RAF.
“It has been wonderful to pay tribute to the men and women who have served in our beloved RAF over the years – whether in the air or as ground crew, in war time and in peace.
“Our city has been linked with the RAF and our country’s amazing aircraft throughout the years and it is so appropriate that we staged this three-day celebration.”
Air Marshal Stuart Atha, of the RAF, said: “It’s a great opportunity to salute those from Coventry who have served and supported the RAF in the past and today and to look forward to our next 100 years with optimism and confidence.”
