Canberra - The Canberra was the first jet bomber to serve with the Royal Air Force. With no defensive armament, the Canberra relied instead on high speed, an operational ceiling of 48,000 feet, and great manoeverability to avoid opposing fighter aircraft. Three versions are currently in service, the T4 dual control trainer, and the PR7 and PR9. The PR variants, which are both dedicated to the reconnaissance mission, carry aerial surveillance cameras for use at all altitudes and have an internally mounted infra-red line scan (IRLS) capability. Wingspan: 20.66m (67' 10") Length: 20.36m (66' 5") In service with: 39 (1 PRU) Squadron - 5 x Canbera PR7/9 2 x Canberra T4, RAF Marham

Merlin - The Merlin EH101 medium support helicopter is capable of carrying 35 combat equipped troops and is due to replace the Wessex and the Puma. The EH101 may be fitted with stub wings enabling anti-armour or air-to-air missiles and rocket pods to be fitted. A nose turret and .5" machine gun may also be incorporated. The EH101 is equipped with active vibration damping control which, by reducing noise and vibration to a level no greater than that experienced in a turboprop aircraft, reduces crew fatigue and increases airframe life.

Crew: 2 Rotor Diameter: 18.59m (61'') Length: 22.81m (74' 10") Max Speed: 309 kph (192 mph) Engines: 3 x Rolls Royce/Turbomeca RTM 322 three-shaft turbines of 2,312 shp each Load Capacity: Up to 35 x fully equipped troops can be carried or 16 x stretchers and a medical team

In service with: 28 Squadron - 22 x Merlin Mk3, RAF Benson

Tutor - The Grob Tutor T1 replaced the Royal Air Force's ageing fleet of Bulldog primary training aircraft. Ninety of the new aircraft are used by University Air Squadrons and Air Experience Flights at 14 locations around the country. But unusually, the aircraft are not owned and maintained by the RAF, but carry civilian registrations and serviced under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI). Bombardier, the contractor, will own and maintain the Tutor IIs, and at some sites also provide such essential flying support services as air traffic control and fire cover, saving the MoD an estimated £30 Million over the life of the 10 year contract. Wingspan: 10m (32' 8'') Length: 7.59m (24' 9")

C-17A Globemaster III - is one of the newest aircraft to enter service with the RAF. The Globemaster is a flexible cargo transport and has seen extensive service with the USAF. It will provide the RAF with the ability to carry large combat equipment for all three services, troops, supplies or humanitarian aid, over distances up to 2,500nm and land with a huge payload of up to 169,000 lbs at small airfields as short as 4,000 feet.

Crew: 2 pilots and 1 loadmaster Wingspan: 50.29m (165'') Length: 53.04m (174'") Height overall: 16.79 m Loadable width: 5.49m Max payload: 78,655 kg (77 tons) Cruising speed: 648 kph (403 mph) Range (max payload): 4,444 km (2,400 miles) Engines: 4 x Pratt and Witney F117 Turbofans

In service with: 99 Squadron - 4 x C-17A, RAF Brize Norton