Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Two flypasts from a Royal Air Force (RAF) Boeing Poseidon MRA1 (P-8A), at RAF Fairford on Sunday of the Royal International Air Tattoo 2025.
This aircraft, ZP803, is from 120 (CXX) Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth. It was the third of 9 Poseidons to be accepted by the Royal Air Force. This aircraft is named after the highest scoring pilot in RAF Coastal Command during WW2, Squadron Leader Terence Bulloch DSO DFC, who made the greatest number of attacks against submarines during the Battle of the Atlantic.
Born in Lisburn, County Antrim, Squadron Leader Bulloch joined the RAF in 1936. Serving with Coastal Command, Squadron Leader Bulloch and his crew shot down two German seaplanes and sank four German U-boats, and severely damaged several others. He was known for his flying skills, innovative tactics and perfect eyesight.
Before the introduction of the long-range Liberator (B-24) bomber, attacks by packs of U-boats were exacting a heavy toll on the Allied shipping bringing essential supplies across the Atlantic.
On the 12 October 1942 Bulloch sank a U-boat Mid-Atlantic when flying a Liberator of CXX Squadron on detachment at Reykjavik, Iceland. Then on 8 December the same year, during a convoy escort, he attacked a U-boat wolf pack, sinking a second U-boat and attacking another with the two remaining depth charges. He and his crew then attacked five other submarines with cannon and machine gun fire.
His final U-boat was sunk in the Bay of Biscay on 8 July 1943 flying a Liberator of 224 Squadron from St Eval, Cornwall.
His pilot’s flying log book recorded 350 operational sorties, 4658 flying hours including 2059 hours on operations. Squadron Leader Bulloch passed away in 2014 aged 98.
The Boeing Poseidon MRA1 (P-8A) is a versatile maritime patrol aircraft designed for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and search and rescue missions. The Poseidon is equipped with advanced technology to detect and track threats above and below water. It can carry up to 129 sonobuoys for submarine detection and, if needed, is armed with Mk54 torpedoes to engage enemy submarines.
The first of nine Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft arrived at RAF Kinloss on 4 February 2020, ready to protect the UK and its interests by patrolling the seas, detecting hostile submarines, and supporting the UK’s nuclear deterrent. Initial Operating Capability was declared on 1 April 2020, and by the end of that year, five aircraft were operational worldwide, with 120 Squadron, later joined by 201 Squadron in 2021. The final aircraft was delivered in January 2022. The Poseidon also equips 42 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron, which is an Operational Conversion Unit squadron based at RAF Lossiemouth.
The Poseidon Programme also fosters international cooperation, with the United States Navy, providing training and support, and Norway partnering with the RAF on training, maintenance, and logistics.
Boeing introduced the 737 short/medium-range airliner in 1964, but early sales were slow. After its first flight on 9 April 1967, only 30 of the original 737-100s were sold, as airlines preferred larger aircraft. Boeing addressed this with the stretched 737-200, which became a huge success.
The 737 underwent major upgrades over time, including the introduction of CFM56 turbofan engines in 1984, replacing the original Pratt & Whitney JT8D. In response to competition from the Airbus A320, Boeing launched the 737 Next Generation (NG) series, featuring a new wing, FADEC engines, and other improvements. The 737-800 variant was selected as the basis for the Poseidon, designed to replace the Lockheed P-3 Orion in the US Navy.
Poseidon development began in June 2004, with the first flight on 25 April 2009. It achieved initial operating capability with the US Navy on 29 November 2013, and has since been delivered to the US Navy, Indian Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force.
In the UK, the Nimrod MRA.Mk 4 maritime patrol upgrade was canceled in 2010, leaving the UK without long-range maritime patrol aircraft. Under Project Seedcorn, RAF personnel trained with allied forces to maintain skills until the 2015 defense review approved the purchase of nine Poseidons. These aircraft, operating from RAF Lossiemouth since 2020, now serve in dedicated squadrons.
This Video and Audio content is
Copyright © StephenKeeler (HightFlight/SkyHighFlightTV) All Rights Reserved
Two flypasts from a Royal Air Force (RAF) Boeing Poseidon MRA1 (P-8A), at RAF Fairford on Sunday of the Royal International Air Tattoo 2025.
This aircraft, ZP803, is from 120 (CXX) Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth. It was the third of 9 Poseidons to be accepted by the Royal Air Force. This aircraft is named after the highest scoring pilot in RAF Coastal Command during WW2, Squadron Leader Terence Bulloch DSO DFC, who made the greatest number of attacks against submarines during the Battle of the Atlantic.
Born in Lisburn, County Antrim, Squadron Leader Bulloch joined the RAF in 1936. Serving with Coastal Command, Squadron Leader Bulloch and his crew shot down two German seaplanes and sank four German U-boats, and severely damaged several others. He was known for his flying skills, innovative tactics and perfect eyesight.
Before the introduction of the long-range Liberator (B-24) bomber, attacks by packs of U-boats were exacting a heavy toll on the Allied shipping bringing essential supplies across the Atlantic.
On the 12 October 1942 Bulloch sank a U-boat Mid-Atlantic when flying a Liberator of CXX Squadron on detachment at Reykjavik, Iceland. Then on 8 December the same year, during a convoy escort, he attacked a U-boat wolf pack, sinking a second U-boat and attacking another with the two remaining depth charges. He and his crew then attacked five other submarines with cannon and machine gun fire.
His final U-boat was sunk in the Bay of Biscay on 8 July 1943 flying a Liberator of 224 Squadron from St Eval, Cornwall.
His pilot’s flying log book recorded 350 operational sorties, 4658 flying hours including 2059 hours on operations. Squadron Leader Bulloch passed away in 2014 aged 98.
The Boeing Poseidon MRA1 (P-8A) is a versatile maritime patrol aircraft designed for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and search and rescue missions. The Poseidon is equipped with advanced technology to detect and track threats above and below water. It can carry up to 129 sonobuoys for submarine detection and, if needed, is armed with Mk54 torpedoes to engage enemy submarines.
The first of nine Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft arrived at RAF Kinloss on 4 February 2020, ready to protect the UK and its interests by patrolling the seas, detecting hostile submarines, and supporting the UK’s nuclear deterrent. Initial Operating Capability was declared on 1 April 2020, and by the end of that year, five aircraft were operational worldwide, with 120 Squadron, later joined by 201 Squadron in 2021. The final aircraft was delivered in January 2022. The Poseidon also equips 42 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron, which is an Operational Conversion Unit squadron based at RAF Lossiemouth.
The Poseidon Programme also fosters international cooperation, with the United States Navy, providing training and support, and Norway partnering with the RAF on training, maintenance, and logistics.
Boeing introduced the 737 short/medium-range airliner in 1964, but early sales were slow. After its first flight on 9 April 1967, only 30 of the original 737-100s were sold, as airlines preferred larger aircraft. Boeing addressed this with the stretched 737-200, which became a huge success.
The 737 underwent major upgrades over time, including the introduction of CFM56 turbofan engines in 1984, replacing the original Pratt & Whitney JT8D. In response to competition from the Airbus A320, Boeing launched the 737 Next Generation (NG) series, featuring a new wing, FADEC engines, and other improvements. The 737-800 variant was selected as the basis for the Poseidon, designed to replace the Lockheed P-3 Orion in the US Navy.
Poseidon development began in June 2004, with the first flight on 25 April 2009. It achieved initial operating capability with the US Navy on 29 November 2013, and has since been delivered to the US Navy, Indian Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force.
In the UK, the Nimrod MRA.Mk 4 maritime patrol upgrade was canceled in 2010, leaving the UK without long-range maritime patrol aircraft. Under Project Seedcorn, RAF personnel trained with allied forces to maintain skills until the 2015 defense review approved the purchase of nine Poseidons. These aircraft, operating from RAF Lossiemouth since 2020, now serve in dedicated squadrons.
This Video and Audio content is
Copyright © StephenKeeler (HightFlight/SkyHighFlightTV) All Rights Reserved
