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RAF Trivia Quizzes

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9 RAF quizzes and 125 RAF trivia questions.
1.
  British Aircraft Models   popular trivia quiz  
Collection Quiz
 15 Qns
The British Royal Air Force and its naval counterpart, the Fleet Air Arm, have been at the forefront of aircraft design and development for over one hundred years. Can you pick out the British aircraft models from the list?
Easier, 15 Qns, Reamar42, Oct 07 24
Easier
Reamar42 gold member
Oct 07 24
213 plays
2.
  RAF Frontline Jets   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Shortly before the end of World War Two the RAF entered the jet age. This quiz will test your knowledge of some of the aircraft that have served with frontline units.
Average, 15 Qns, romeomikegolf, Dec 26 07
Average
romeomikegolf gold member
746 plays
3.
  A-Z of British Military Aircraft   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
In alphabetical order, you have to identify a British military aircraft. Provided are the years of operational service, followed by a question to help identify it. All these aircraft were designed and built in Britain.
Average, 25 Qns, Plumbus, Aug 25 21
Average
Plumbus gold member
Aug 25 21
802 plays
4.
  History of the RAF: Part Two   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This second part of the history of the Royal Air Force starts with the dawning of the jet age.
Average, 10 Qns, romeomikegolf, Dec 13 16
Average
romeomikegolf gold member
826 plays
5.
  History of the RAF: Part One   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This first quiz covers the period up to 1945. Other parts will cover the later periods.
Average, 10 Qns, romeomikegolf, Oct 06 09
Average
romeomikegolf gold member
1352 plays
6.
  RAF Fighters    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is for true RAF fighter buffs, and/or pilots!
Tough, 10 Qns, TechForce, Sep 08 21
Tough
TechForce
Sep 08 21
3107 plays
7.
  US Aircraft in RAF Service   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Although the RAF has naturally flown predominantly British aircraft, many US types have been flown by the RAF, Fleet Air Arm and Army Air Corps. How many can you identify?
Average, 10 Qns, ancientnav, Apr 10 11
Average
ancientnav
334 plays
8.
  Sir Arthur Harris    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz about Air Chief Marshall Sir Arthur Harris, his life and times.
Tough, 10 Qns, deadmeat, Jun 14 21
Tough
deadmeat
Jun 14 21
558 plays
9.
  Modern Royal Air Force    
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
A quiz based on the units and operations of the modern RAF.
Difficult, 20 Qns, jez_mcgad, Sep 10 23
Difficult
jez_mcgad
Sep 10 23
759 plays
trivia question Quick Question
What was the name of the company that made the Tornado?

From Quiz "Modern Royal Air Force"





RAF Trivia Questions
1. What was the World War Two Douglas DB-7 light bomber known as in RAF service?

From Quiz US Aircraft in RAF Service

Answer: Boston

RAF Bostons were frequently used in raids on German shipping and enemy targets in France, as their short range precluded their use in bombing raids on Germany.

2. (A)1936-1968: Which long-serving aircraft was known as 'Faithful Annie'?

From Quiz A-Z of British Military Aircraft

Answer: Anson

More than 11,000 Ansons were built. It started its career with the RAF in 1936 as a coastal patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. Although its service as a frontline aircraft ended in 1941, it continued to serve for many years as a trainer and communications aircraft.

3. This aircraft was the first jet to enter service with the RAF, and also the first Allied jet. It first flew on March 5, 1943. What was it called?

From Quiz RAF Frontline Jets

Answer: Meteor

The Gloster Meteor was designed by George Carter after a single-engined prototype had been built by Whittle. It first saw operation service with 616 Squadron in July 1944. It also saw combat in Korea with 77 Squadron RAAF in the ground attack role. It was also purchased by various air forces around the world, and continued to fly until the early 1970s.

4. This man is considered to be the father of the jet age. His first name was Frank.

From Quiz History of the RAF: Part Two

Answer: Whittle & Frank Whittle

Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle first patented his idea for a gas turbine as far back as 1932. His company, Power Jets Ltd was formed in 1935. Sir Frank passed away in 1996.

5. On what date was the RAF formed?

From Quiz History of the RAF: Part One

Answer: April 1st 1918

The RAF was formed by amalgamating the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. The Women's Royal Air Force was established on the same day.

6. What was the name of the company that made the Tornado?

From Quiz Modern Royal Air Force

Answer: Panavia

The Tornado was built in Germany, Italy and Britain. It has also been sold to Saudi Arabia.

7. Which RAF aircraft was the world's first true monoplane fighter which exceeded 300mph in speed?

From Quiz RAF Fighters

Answer: Hawker Hurricane

The rugged and reliable Hurricane was the primary RAF fighter from 1939-1942, later versions serving as fighter-bombers as late as 1945. Despite its revolutionary features, the Hurricane was usually outclassed in air-to-air combat by the Me 109 and Mitsubishi Zero. Even so, it was one of the most widely produced RAF fighters in history, well over 12,000 being built by 1945, when production finally ceased.

8. What was Sir Arthur Harris's 'nickname' ?

From Quiz Sir Arthur Harris

Answer: Bomber

He became famous or infamous as the man in charge of 'Bomber Command'

9. This Martin light bomber was never flown by the US Army Air Force, but saw wartime service with the RAF. What was it called?

From Quiz US Aircraft in RAF Service

Answer: Maryland

Although the design was not adopted by the US military, a number were ordered by the French, and after the fall of France the remainder were delivered to the RAF. The type was later replaced by the more successful B26 Marauder.

10. (B)1912-1918: Which general purpose biplane was the major type in service with the Royal Flying Corps at the beginning of WWI?

From Quiz A-Z of British Military Aircraft

Answer: BE2

The BE2 series was ubiquitous in RFC service during the early years of WW1. It was employed as a reconnaissance and army co-operation aircraft, and was instrumental in fashioning the best tactics for the future as the British army worked out how to get the most out of these new-fangled flying contraptions. It was while flying a BE2b in 1915 that Lieutenant W.B. Rhodes Moorhouse became the first airman to earn the Victoria Cross.

11. Britain's second jet started life as an experimental aircraft. It had a distinctive twin boom fuselage. This aircraft was the Vampire, but which company produced it?

From Quiz RAF Frontline Jets

Answer: de Haviland

The Vampire had its maiden flight just six months after that of the Meteor, but it didn't enter service until 1945 and was still under development at the end of the war so never saw combat. It stayed on front line duty until the mid 1950s, quite a short time for an RAF aircraft. The maritime version, the Sea Vampire, was the Royal Navy's first jet.

12. June 1948 saw the start of Operation Plainfare. What was the purpose of this operation?

From Quiz History of the RAF: Part Two

Answer: The Berlin Airlift

Following the blockade of Berlin by Soviet forces, the British, Americans and French began a massive airlift to supply the people of Berlin. The RAF delivered 1,340 tons of supplies every day. The airlift continued until October 1949. The counter-terrorism operation in Malaya, which also took place in June, was called Operation Firedog.

13. Which new weapon in the RAF inventory saw its operational debut in Operation Telic?

From Quiz Modern Royal Air Force

Answer: Storm Shaddow

The 'fire and forget' Storm Shadow missile has a very long range, fully autonomous guidance, low level terrain following capability, a stealthy profile and a penetrator warhead.

14. Which RAF fighter was adapted as a carrier fighter in 1940-early 1941?

From Quiz RAF Fighters

Answer: Gloster Gladiator

15. Where was Sir Arthur Harris born ?

From Quiz Sir Arthur Harris

Answer: England

Arthur T. Harris was born in England on 13th April, 1892. He left school at 16 and emigrated to Rhodesia. Although I have read he was born in South Africa ? He certainly spent his younger adult life in Rhodesia.

16. A number of B29 Superfortress bombers saw RAF service after the war. Under what name?

From Quiz US Aircraft in RAF Service

Answer: Washington

A number of Superfortresses were loaned to the RAF, and in addition to the bomber role they were also converted for use as airborne tankers.

17. (C)1917-1919: Which formidably manoeuverable biplane scout shot down more enemy aircraft than any other Allied fighter during WW1?

From Quiz A-Z of British Military Aircraft

Answer: Camel

Camel pilots claimed more than 3,000 enemy machines during the 17 months that the type was in action during WW1. It was the first British fighter to incorporate a twin machine gun armament, and was possessed of astonishing manoeuverability and aerobatic qualities. Over 5,000 Camels were ordered, but it was phased out of service within six months of the war ending, due to defence cutbacks and its replacement by the Sopwith Snipe.

18. What was the name of the first jet bomber to enter service with the RAF?

From Quiz History of the RAF: Part Two

Answer: Canberra

The first Canberra squadrons were formed in 1951 with the B2 variant. The photo reconnaisance version followed later. The Vampire and Swift were both fighters and the 'Shack' was a four-engined aircraft designed for maritime operations. One squadron of Canberras was still in service in September 2004.

19. In April 1924, the RAF lost a number of front line squadrons. What happened to them?

From Quiz History of the RAF: Part One

Answer: Formed the Fleet Air Arm

All the ship borne squadrons at the time went to form the Navy's air force, the Fleet Air Arm.

20. The RAF Harrier has an additional 2 hardpoints to the American versions, but where are they?

From Quiz Modern Royal Air Force

Answer: below outrigger wheels

The RAF Harrier GR.5/7/9 has an additional two hardpoints to carry extra AIM-9 sidewinders below the outrigger wheels.

21. What was the official top speed (measured at 28,000 feet) of the Spitfire Mk IX?

From Quiz RAF Fighters

Answer: 409mph

22. The young Arthur Harris served in WWI and ended up a Squadron leader at what rank by the end of the war ?

From Quiz Sir Arthur Harris

Answer: Major

On the outbreak of World War I, he first served in the 1st Rhodesian Regiment in German South-West Africa, before returning to Britain to join the RFC (Royal Flying Corps, one of the predecessors to the RAF). Service on the western front followed, Harris attained the rank of Major by the end of the war after which he stayed on in the newly formed RAF as a Squadron Leader.

23. What name was given to the DC3 or C47 transport aircraft when in RAF service?

From Quiz US Aircraft in RAF Service

Answer: Dakota

The DC3 and its variants is one of the most numerous aircraft types of all time, with many examples still flying over 70 years after it entered service.

24. (D)1939-1945: Which WW2 two seat RAF fighter had all its armament in a power-operated dorsal turret?

From Quiz A-Z of British Military Aircraft

Answer: Defiant

The Boulton Paul Defiant was quite successful during its first sorties in the spring of 1940. Once German pilots realised it had no forward-firing armament, however, it suffered high casualties. In September 1940, it was removed from day fighter duties. It was moderately successful as a 'stop gap' night fighter, however, and it continued as a trainer and target tug until the end of the war.

25. The RAF's nuclear strike force was formed in 1955. The aircraft were called V bombers because of their names. Which type was the first in service?

From Quiz History of the RAF: Part Two

Answer: Valiant

Because of fatigue problems, all the Valiants were retired from service in February 1965. When the Royal Navy took over the nuclear deterrent role, the remaining Vulcans and Victors were assigned other jobs. The Vixen was a twin boom naval jet.

26. In March 1936, an aircraft that was to become one of the most famous aircraft in the world flew for the first time. Which one was it?

From Quiz History of the RAF: Part One

Answer: Spitfire

The Supermarine 300, later named the Spitfire, took its maiden flight on 5 March. The test pilot, 'Mutt' Summers, is reported as telling the designers 'Don't touch anything'. The Hurricane first flew in November 1935. The Mosquito had its first flight in 1940, and the Lancaster did not go into production until 1941.

27. What is the only RAF aircraft able to carry the Harpoon anti-ship missile?

From Quiz Modern Royal Air Force

Answer: Nimrod

The Nimrod MR.2 can carry Harpoon missiles either on 2 underwing pylons or in the internal bomb-bay compartment.

28. Which RAF fighter was adapted as a long-range escort for use against the Japanese in the Pacific?

From Quiz RAF Fighters

Answer: Hawker Tempest

The powerful Tempest, conceived as a successor to the unsuccessful Typhoon, proved a far more capable fighter. The Mk V version, the only one to see wartime service, first flew in 1944. While still a dedicated fighter-bomber, the nimble fighter could handle itself in air-to-air combat if needed, being superior in turning radius to any German fighter at low altitude.

29. Who was C-in-C Bomber Command at the outbreak of WW II ?

From Quiz Sir Arthur Harris

Answer: Air Chief Marshal Sir Edgar Ludlow-Hewitt

Ludlow-Hewitt became C-in-C in September 1937, and served until April 1940. He was succeeded by Sir Charles Portal (April-October 1940), Sir Richard Peirse (October 1940-January 1942), Jack Baldwin (Acting C-in-C, January-February 1942). During the early years of the war, Bomber Command struggled to contain the heavy losses sustained by its thinly-spread resources in what began as a daylight campaign. Once night bombing commenced in earnest, attacks were very inaccurate. Changes would be needed if Bomber Command was going to succeed over Germany and in the competition for scarce resources with other RAF Commands.

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Last Updated Dec 21 2024 5:51 AM
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