Hawker "Hurricanes" flying past HM the King. For many centuries it has been the custom for the King to be head of the Fighting Services. With the advent of the Air Force this tradition has been preserved; and to-day HM the King is the Chief of the Royal Air Force. As such he carried out a tour of four RAF stations on 9 May 1938. First visiting Northolt Aerodrome and then proceeding to Harwell and Upavon; His Majesty finally flew to the RAF station at Thorney Island. There; as shown in our picture; the King watched a fly-past of Hawker "Hurricane" aeroplanes. It will be noted that the fly-past is somewhat reminiscent of the military custom of the march past. Illustration for one of a set of 50 cigarette cards on the subject of Interesting Customs and Traditions of the Navy; Army and Airforce issued by Lambert & Butler in 1939.