Flypast a symbol of how freedom was won 80 years ago and is being maintained today
Historic RAF aircraft have left the ground to begin participating in 80th anniversary commemorations marking Victory in Europe Day.
Pilots have inspected and boarded Typhoons at RAF Coningsby and are following a route from holding patterns across the southeast of England before converging in formation over central London.
Crews will be working to ensure the aircraft cross Buckingham Palace within a five-second window for maximum visual impact.
Typhoon pilot Joe Murphy, 29 Squadron, Royal Air Force Coningsby, is leading the full ship.
"It's a big honour to participate in this parade, to represent our own nation, our fighting nation, our military, who were in the worst condition on the frontline," he said.
"Fighting for our freedom, for life, for our existence. For me, it's big.
"The sense of occasion is there already, the nerves are beginning to build, but I think that's a good thing."
Squadron Leader Murphy added that the day holds personal significance for him.
"I feel it's particularly poignant. Personally, for me, my grandfather landed on the beach of Normandy a year before VE day – he was 19.
"He fought in a tank south through France and was injured in late September '44, and then returned back to the UK to recover. He was actually in London 80 years ago on Thursday, celebrating VE Day."
Sqn Ldr Murphy also shed light on the extensive planning behind the flypast, explaining the complex logistics that have been in motion for months.
"So 12 months ago, all the air crew from all the various platforms, about 23 aircraft flying. Today we all meet up, a big planning session, we've had various planning sessions in between.
"We planned our route and our timing down to the second. We'll form up over the North Sea, launch from our various different bases, and then we're going to run in, off the coast near Ipswich, over Colchester and into London for 13:45.
"I'm going to be leading a full ship of Typhoons right behind the Red Arrows – so that's a personal highlight for me."
The flypast will bring together some of the RAF's most iconic aircraft – from the Lancaster Bomber of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to modern frontline fighters like the Typhoon and F-35B Lightning.
"We've got the Lancaster right up front, a much slower aircraft, and obviously typhoons right at the back of the formation of a relatively quick," the pilot continued.
The Lancaster bomber will be the first aircraft to appear, one of only two still flying anywhere in the world, taking off from RAF Waddington.
Operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, it symbolises the RAF's role in the Second World War and the sacrifices made by Bomber Command.
Its deep engine note is instantly recognisable, and the aircraft also serves as a powerful reminder of the crews who never returned from their missions over Europe.
More than 1,300 personnel from the Armed Forces, uniformed services and youth organisations will march through central London, retracing a historic route from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace.
But despite the bustling crowds and commemorations from the ground, the pilots eyes must remain on the skies.
"Running down the mall itself, my eyes will be firmly on the aircraft ahead of me and my wing on either side - so we present that nice smart formation over the top of London" typhoon pilot Joe Murphy continued.
Flight Lieutenant Seb Davey of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, who is leading the historic aircraft, said he will be concentrating fully on the flight.
"Well, obviously, it's a very big occasion today but, to be honest, there's butterflies every time," he said.
"We fly this very historic aircraft and it's something that we're very proud to do, but we do with the utmost care.
"We'll be very focused on being in the right place at the right time. Today, there may be an opportunity to take a quick look at the people on the ground and to see how many people there are.
"But most of our focus will be placed on making sure that we're in the right place.
"It's a really great honour to be taking part in today's VE Day because it means that we can play our small part in remembering all those sacrifices of those brave men 80 years, men and women, 80 years ago.
"It's one of the reasons that we exist, to be able to remember the people that gave so much.
"But also, we're here to commemorate and remember and celebrate all those who have been in conflict on behalf of the Royal Air Force, and the UK Armed Forces, and the Commonwealth Armed Forces, in recent times."
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