Boris Johnson flies in cockpit of RAF Typhoon – describes takeoff as a 'vertical firecracker'

Boris Johnson has taken to the skies in a very different Royal Air Force aircraft, with Downing Street posting a video of the Prime Minister in the cockpit of a Typhoon fighter jet.

The PM, who announced his resignation two weeks ago, recorded a video selfie inside the aircraft, which has a top speed of 2.0 Mach.

During the video taken last week, Mr Johnson gives the thumbs-up as another Typhoon is pictured refuelling from the RAF's VIP Voyager tanker. 

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Mr Johnson has described taking off in the fighter jet on Thursday as like a "vertical firecracker" and he went on to take over the joystick to perform various rolls and a loop-the-loop.

He has faced allegations of having already "checked out" and "clocked off" as Prime Minister, criticised by Labour for being absent from Cobra emergency meetings as the UK prepared for the first ever red extreme heat warning.

Downing Street insisted it was "not unusual" for Cabinet ministers to lead Cobra meetings and that Mr Johnson's Typhoon flight was "important" to understand the RAF's capabilities.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman argued that Mr Johnson, who is set to leave office in September, has a role in directing the RAF in worst-case scenarios, "so it is important he is aware of some of these capabilities they have".

Asked if he needs first-hand experience to understand this, the spokesman said: "It's important that he has a detailed understanding of the working capabilities of the RAF."

Mr Johnson took to the skies after the RAF invited him to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to see how Typhoon pilots help protect UK airspace and to also thank the RAF's Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) team for all their hard work.

RAF Coningsby is one of two QRA stations in the UK, protecting the skies against potential threats.

The base is home to two frontline, combat-ready squadrons and is the training station for Typhoon pilots.

Number 10 also shared some Top Gun-esque photos of Mr Johnson at Coningsby wearing full pilot gear.