His Majesty The King’s Coronation Flypast

Saturday 6th May 2023 was a moment in British History that few alive today have been privileged to witness before; the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla.

For many, the preceding months had been a combination of excitement, hard-work and determination that the day’s events were to be conducted perfectly. This was a sentiment that many at RAF Odiham echoed as the sun began to rise, but sadly the weather had not been given the memo. The bright, almost cloudless skies of the day before had been replaced by deep grey, low clouds, accompanied by a constant combination of strong winds and rain; not ideal conditions for a flypast over Buckingham Palace. The Coronation was highly anticipated and set to culminate with a spectacle of military display, the like of which had not been seen since the Coronation of the Late Queen Elizabeth in 1953.

Despite the weather, for those at RAF Odiham, the day continued as planned. Six Chinooks in total were wheeled out of their dry hangars and positioned on the dispersal. Only three were planned to take part in the flypast, along with a Puma from RAF Benson. However, for an event of this magnitude, contingencies needed to be in place, so each Squadron had provided a spare, just in case.

Engineers from each Squadron had performed their pre-flight checks and ensured all the primary aircraft were airworthy. The pilots, co-pilots and crewmen had completed their pre-flight briefs and weather checks for the day, so now began the waiting game. Speculation was rife - would the weather conditions improve enough for all the RAF aircraft to take part in the flypast? Would there be a scaled down flypast? Would there even be a flypast at all?

Speculation had to be put aside though, as the clock ticked 12:30 the walk out to the aircraft started. The pilots and crewmen were already on board, waiting for their passengers, rotors turning, anticipating the moment when they would begin their lift into formation. The route had been planned; the first stop was RAF Benson to link up with the rest of the Joint Helicopter Command contingent. It still wasn’t clear if there was going to be a flypast, but at 12:41, three Chinooks manoeuvred off the dispersal into position, turned and lifted into the mizzle.

Transiting across to RAF Benson to link up with the other JHC Helicopters gave an insight into just how difficult the weather conditions were proving to be. Crosswinds and eddying low clouds buffeted the aircraft on the short journey to Oxfordshire, so it came as no surprise when it was announced over the radio that all other elements of the Flypast, except for the rotary element and the Red Arrows had been cancelled.

It was a momentary stop at Benson, as the helicopters joining the flypast from the Royal Navy, British Army and RAF Shawbury moved into their positions, and the RAF Benson Puma slotted into place behind the Chinooks. This manoeuvre complete, the whole rotary wave lifted as one and moved off towards London. The usually short flight to the Capital was extended by skirting around the north of London, following the route of the M25, before turning in towards the city around Epping. Approaching London from this angle meant that the flight along The Mall and over Buckingham Palace would be timed and positioned perfectly.

The anticipation inside the aircraft was growing, with cameras at the windows, as those lucky enough to be on the flight hoped to capture a shot of the coronation celebrations from a very unique vantage point. The iconic landscape of central London came into view and the excited crowds around London were just visible in the haze below. The anticipation within the cabin was almost tangible as the crews made their final position adjustments. The Mall came into view below, with the focal point, Buckingham Palace just visible in the distance.

It was a momentary stop at Benson, as the helicopters joining the flypast from the Royal Navy, British Army and RAF Shawbury moved into their positions, and the RAF Benson Puma slotted into place behind the Chinooks. This manoeuvre complete, the whole rotary wave lifted as one and moved off towards London.

Exactly on time, the flypast passed over His Majesty The King, and Her Majesty The Queen, in celebration of this once in a lifetime event. Joined by members of the Royal Family and an enthusiastic crowd of well-wishers, all turned their faces skyward to watch the procession of helicopters from across JHC as they carried out their commemoration for all those assembled.

Then, less than 30 seconds later, the flypast was complete. All that remained was the short journey home to RAF Odiham, whilst the rest of the helicopter contingent dispersed to their home bases. Touching down at 15:10, the reality of the day had not quite set in. The pride felt by those involved was immense, being able to carry out the flypast in such uncertain conditions, for such a historic occasion was a career highlight.

All that was left to do was to head on home, join the celebrations of family and friends and maybe have a bit of Coronation Quiche.