Pictured: Red Arrows turns the sky red, white and blue to mark the RAF's 90th anniversary

The Queen, Prince Philip and 5,000 spectators watched the mass fly-past involving 90 aircraft from every section of the RAF, the largest fly past since 1990.

Aerial extravaganza: The RAF fly over RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire

Soaring: The Red Arrows zoom over the rooftops of Gloucestershire

Today's event marks the largest since the Queen's Silver Jubilee review of the force at RAF Finningley, south Yorkshire in 1977.

Earlier this afternoon, the Queen presented new colours jointly to the RAF in the United Kingdom and the Royal Air Force Regiment, at the opening of the Royal International Air Tattoo.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were met by Air Chief Marshall Sir Glen Torpy, and watched a parade of 759 RAF personnel in the morning sunshine.

Wearing a lilac dress with pink trim, and a pink hat, she told the assembled ranks on the parade ground: 'This is the fifth time I have presented the Royal Air Force with a new Colour.

Flying high: The Red Arrows in all their glory

'On each occasion I have been enormously impressed by the professionalism, skill, determination and courage with which the men and women of the RAF serve, often in the most challenging and dangerous of circumstances.

'Current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have thrown a spotlight on the many achievements of the Service, of which you can all be immensely proud.

'However I am also deeply conscious that this success sometimes comes at a great cost to the Service, individuals and their families.

'I hand over my Colour with the confidence that you will guard it well, just as you continue to guard your heritage, ethos and unique contribution to defence.'

Lady in lilac: The Queen greets RAF officers and their families