Run-up to the Victory Day celebrations on 9th May

In the run-up to the Victory Day celebrations on 9th May, the Russian Air Force made two practice flypasts over Moscow’s Red Square on 3rd May and during the dress rehearsal of the V-Day parade on 7th May.

Centenary of the Russian Air Force

This spectacular event was to be the highlight of the Summer of 2012, even though the numerous Air Forces announced in the pre-publicity failed to arrive in any quantity. Had they arrived then I know not how they could have been fitted into the schedule. The highlight of the long flying display were the flypasts; not just a one pass opening but a sequence of groups spread through the day; each dedicated to a different aspect of the service. The bomber force, the trainers, the transports, the helicopters and the trainers all participated with a long session in the morning dedicated to vintage warbirds, many of which had travelled from the rest of Europe.

Victory Day Flypast – Moscow

After a long break since 1995 when the 50th anniversary of VE-Day was celebrated, the Russian Air Force’s participation in the traditional Victory Day military parades in Moscow’s Red Square resumed in 2008. This year the Air Force was involved on a much larger scale than previously, putting up 69 assorted fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.