Soaring along in the midst of an exhilarating and bizarre spectacle, aboard an aircraft participating in the VE Day aerial parade.
The mammoth sight of the Airbus A400M Atlas was awe-inspiring. This modern transportation beast is typically loaded with hefty cargo, but for the VE Day anniversary celebrations, it was only carrying 8 souls - Captain, co-pilots, crew, and lucky ones like me and my cameraman Nathan Hale.
As it turned out, the Royals were a part of these celebrations too.
Before ascending to the cockpit, we were confined to the hold, a place usually reserved for military personnel or cargo. The roar from below was deafening, and the take-off incline was more intense than any commercial flight. I felt a rollercoaster rush in my guts, feeling like a giggling schoolgirl.
Once in the air, we were free to venture towards the cockpit, where the views were breathtaking. We had 90 minutes to soak in the spectacular scenery while hovering above the North Sea, awaiting the other aircraft to join the formation.
When they arrived, we took our position in the second wave, behind the Voyager and the Lancaster bomber. The planes seemed to touch in the sky, creating a surreal, slightly nerve-wracking sight.
After hours of chatter and laughter with the pilot and his team, the atmosphere changed. Silence descended, only the radio chatter and engine hum echoing.
For more images, check out VE Day commemorations - In pictures
Interested in how people celebrated in 1945? Find out here
Curious about a WWII codebreaker's chance encounter with Churchill? Read more
Flying so close and fast requires supreme concentration from the crew. As London's landmarks appeared, the countdown started.
"Fifteen seconds," the pilot chimed over the headset, signaling our approach to Buckingham Palace, where the King and his family, along with veterans, were witnessing the spectacle[1][3].
The four-hour flight culminated in this tense moment, a testament to perseverance and precision, a tribute to peace.
[1] RAF veteran honored during VE Day celebrations[2] Airbus A400M Atlas: A versatile workhorse[3] Veterans share their VE Day stories[4] The role of Airbus A400M Atlas in historical commemorations
- The unnerving sight of the planes touching in the sky during the VE Day commemorations was surreal.
- The King and his family, along with veterans, were witnessing the spectacle at Buckingham Palace.
- The modern aircraft, like the Airbus A400M Atlas, played a significant role in historical commemorations, such as the VE Day anniversary.
- Flying so close and fast requires supreme concentration from the crew, hence the change in atmosphere on the four-hour flight.
- The aviation industry, with its advancements in transportation like the Airbus A400M Atlas, has drastically transformed lifestyles and the way we travel.
- The chance encounter between a WWII codebreaker and Churchill is an interesting tale that reveals a fascinating side of history.
