The Royal Air Force has defended Britain's skies and those of her allies since the early part of the 20th century following the tradition of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service.

Spawned from both the British Army and the Royal Navy, the RAF fought hard to maintain its independence after the successes of the First World War. It was not until the Second World War however, that the RAF was able to demonstrate its true worth.

Story of RAR combines rare and unseen footage with newly shot film and expert opinion to tell the story of these momentous years for the Royal Air Force.

This fascinating programme looks at how the early pilots fough in their wire, wood and canvas aircraft and also includes the aerial battles of Spitfire and Hurricane against the fearsome ME109s.

Experience massed bomber raids over Germany and follow the RAF through more than 50 years of the jet age from the first Meteors to the low level Tornado atacks of the Gulf War.