RAF100: Origins & Aircraft Design

At the start of the First World War in 1914, people had only been successfully flying aircraft for ten years. Aircraft design was still in its infancy.

The introductory video ‘Early Flight’ shows how the role of aircraft changed as the war progressed.

In the history activity students explore how aerial technology made a difference during the war leading to the formation of the RAF in 1918.

In the STEM activity students build and test a glider to explore one of the challenges facing early aircraft designers: how to keep an aircraft steady in flight. As an extension they can make control surfaces for their glider and explore how these can be used to change the orientation of an aircraft in flight.

The Battle of Britain was one of the most important Allied victories of the Second World War. Radar played a vital role as an early warning system for incoming German bombing raids.

The introductory video ‘Battle of Britain’ shows how this pivotal four-month battle could not have been won without the early warning from radar and the diverse men and women of the RAF.

In the history activity students examine the role of radar in British strategy and the importance of the Battle of Britain to the UK in 1940 and the diversity of those involved.

In the STEM activity students build a ping pong ball model of a radar station to explore how the position of targets that they cannot see can be found. As an extension they can follow some of the steps that radar operators undertook in order to process the data.

For centuries, organisations and governments have wanted to send information secretly. The Second World War saw the first large-scale deployment of electronics for encryption.

The introductory video ‘Codebreakers’ explores how people based at Bletchley Park broke the German Enigma encryption during the Second World War.

In the history activity students explore the role and impact of secret messages and codebreaking during the war.

In the STEM activity students build a circuit and a scrambler and use it to send encoded and encrypted messages. As an extension they can try their hand at codebreaking.

In 2018 the RAF expertise in airdrops has been vital for getting supplies to areas of the UK affected by terrible storms. The success of any relief operation depends on the precision and accuracy of delivery.

The introductory video ‘Airdrops’ explores the role of the RAF in relief operations and their importance for the UK’s international role.

In the history activity students explore the role of airdrops in Burma, the Berlin airlift and the relief operation in Ethiopia.

In the STEM activity, students make an airdrop model using paper, string and paperclips and use it to explore precision of delivery. As an extension they can explore projectile motion.

Historical events and needs have driven aircraft design, and new aircraft technology has in turn had an impact on historical events. The development of rotor technology in particular has allowed helicopters to access regions that other aircraft cannot.

The introductory video “Jet Age and Helicopters” explores the development of engines over the last 100 years and how helicopters have allowed the RAF to reach mountainous regions and revolutionised sea rescue.

In the history activity, students explore the development of aeroplane technology and helicopters and examine how needs and events have driven aircraft design and usage over the last century.

In the STEM activity, students compare thrust forces produced by propellers with different designs and investigate how blade angle affects a helicopter rotor’s performance.

During the 20th century, intelligence-gathering was one of the most important aspects of fighting a war. Analysis of aerial photographs played a crucial role in the Cold War.

The introductory video “Reconnaissance: The Cold War” looks at how the UK used aerial photography and other forms of surveillance to help prevent the Cold War developing into full-scale armed conflict.

In the history activity, students explore the development of the intelligence-gathering techniques used both during the Second World War and the Cold War.

In the STEM activity, students investigate camera design and how stereo photographs allow 3D viewing.

Find out how 3D imagery helped defeat Hitler (External site)

Long-range missions by RAF Vulcan bombers played a vital role in the 1982 Falklands conflict. Both navigation and re-fuelling were a major challenge.

The introductory video ‘Operation Black Buck’ explores how the RAF planned and carried out what was at the time the longest bombing raid in history.

In the history activity students explore the Falklands military campaign and how the RAF overcame the huge geographical challenges involved.

In the STEM activity, students explore how the navigator needed to take account of wind to stay on course to the Falklands.

RAF centenary Flight of the Navigator – World speed record attempt (external site)

The last 100 years has seen major developments in battlefield medicine. Aeromedical evacuation has played a vital role in rescue and rehabilitation.

The introductory video “Medical Evacuation” explores the role of the RAF in in bringing injured soldiers, at land or sea, to medical help.

In the history activity, students explore medical treatments during times of conflict and the impact of new medical techniques over the last 100 years.

In the STEM activity, students design a sea rescue light. As an extension, they can research prosthetic rehabilitation and design their own prosthesis.

The aim of this resource is to give students the opportunity to investigate the STEM behind aircraft design. Students will explore the forces acting on an aircraft during flight and use the iterative design process to design and improve the perfect paper aircraft.

The aim of this resource is to give students the opportunity to investigate the impact of STEM on radar technology. Students explore the how to build structures, then design and build their own radar tower.