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Sky high military photography skills showcased at RAF Cosford

Dramatic pictures, capturing some of the nation's finest aircraft in all their glory, are now on display in Shropshire.

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Stunning snaps of the Red Arrows upside down and a helicopter flying away from an explosion in the background are part of the 'Defence through the lens – 100 years of military photography' that is now on show at Royal Air Force Museum Cosford.

The Red Arrows in action. Photo: SAC Tim Laurence

The display, curated by the Defence School of Photography based at Cosford, shows off the best work of photographers from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, with images from World War One through to more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It also includes images taken during peacetime training at the school and at nearby locations.

HMS Dragon's Mk8 Lynx Helicopter fired all of its countermeasure flares as the sun sets over the ship

A timeline highlights the many achievements of the school and its students over the last century, which includes winning two Academy Awards for films in World War Two.

Jon Jarvis, head of the Defence School of Photography (DSOP), said: "The images on display offer a small selection of the wide and varied work carried out by the professional military photographer.

"DSOP is proud of its 100-year heritage, teaching photographic trainees to 'write with light' and of the partnerships we have created within the local community in the 50 years the school has been at RAF Cosford.

"The exhibit timeline, produced by Flight Sergeant Andy Malthouse, highlights notable events throughout the period, both photographic and historical, which may touch a nerve or bring back a memory to a wide audience, with an age range from one to 100."

The display includes a Vinten Vipa aerial reconnaissance pod. This pod carried three F.95 aerial cameras and was fitted to the underneath of the aircraft and could produce about 1,500 images from one sortie.

The collection of images was commissioned to not only mark a centenary of photography by members of the Armed Forces, but also to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the School's move to RAF Cosford in Shropshire in 1965.

Visitors can now view the exhibition daily from 10am in the museums Visitor Centre until March 13. For more information visit www.rafmuseum.org/cosford

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