BIRTH of the THIRD ARM

The creation of an independent Royal Air Force did not meet with universal praise in 1918 — and The Aeroplane’s criticism was no exception Ben Dunnell explores The Aeroplane’s outstanding archives to cast new light on past stories Their serials blanked out by the censor, Royal Aircraft Factory SE5as of No 85 Squadron are lined up at Saint- Omer in June 1918, just two months after establishment of the Royal Air Force. ALL PHOTOS AEROPLANE George the Fifth, by the