What a difference 25 years makes. It barely seems that long since we marked the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, yet the events that paid tribute in 1990 feel a world away. Back then, assembling a dozen Spitfires was the stuff of exceptional excitement. Today, there are dozens. By contrast, a quarter-century ago, the RAF could muster 168 aircraft, many representing squadrons that fought in the Battle, for a ceremonial flypast. Now, most have been retired and their units disbanded. Of course there had been Battle of Britain salutes at many previous events, not least the RAF s own At Home' Days. But 1990 was different. Shows around the UK took it as a major theme, creating a programme of anniversary commemorations the like of which had not been seen before.
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